By: Ima Ryma

Ima Ryma — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:26:52 +0000

In 1914 I did do
My very first musical song.
I did it by ear ’cause ’twas true,
My lessons were not far along.
I wrote it while a soda jerk
At the ol’ Poodle Dog Cafe’.
And so I called my piece of work
The “Soda Fountain Rag.” I’d play
It as a waltz,tango, fox trot -
Varied beats and rhythms that are.
All the same song, just played a lot.
Folks would say, “What a repertoire!”

Guess that first song was not a fluke
By this Ellington, folks called “Duke.”

Comments on: The Eventual Triumph of Duke Ellington

By: Ima Ryma