Salty Dog Rag
View chords used in this chart
Verse: 1
D
Away down yonder in the state of Arkansas
G
Where my great-grandpa met my great-grandma
C
They drink apple cider and they get on a jag,
F A7
And dance all night to the Salty Dog Rag.
D
They play an old fiddle like you never heard before,
G
They play the only tune that they ever did know-
C
It's a ragtime ditty and the rhythm don't drag,
F C F
Now everybody's dancing to the Salty Dog Rag.
[Refrão]
D7
One foot front, drag it back,
G7
Then you start to ball the jack.
C
You shake and you break and then you sag.
F A7
If your partner zigs, you're supposed to zag.
D7
Your heart is light, you tap your feet
G7
In rhythm with that ragtime beat.
C
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
F C F
And dance all night to the Salty Dog Rag.
Verse: 2
D
Away down South 'neath the old Southern moon,
G
The possum's up a tree and the hounds've treed a coon
C
They hitch up a buggy to the broken-down nag
F A7
And go out dancing to the Salty Dog Rag.
D
They tune up the fiddle and they rosin up the bow.
G
They strike a C chord on the old banjo
C
Then holler hang on 'cause we ain't gonna drag.
F C F
Now here's the way you dance to the Salty Dog Rag.
[Refrão]
D7
One foot front, drag it back,
G7
Then you start to ball the jack.
C
You shake and you break and then you sag.
F A7
If your partner zigs, you're supposed to zag.
D7
Your heart is light, you tap your feet
G7
In rhythm with that ragtime beat.
C
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
F C F
And dance all night to the Salty Dog Rag.
How to play Salty Dog Rag
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.