Rag Mama Rag

Album: The Band (1969)
Charted: 16 57
Play Video
  • Rag, mama, rag, I can't believe it's true
    Rag, mama, rag, what did you do?
    I crawled up to the railroad track
    Let the four nineteen scratch my back

    Sag, mama, sag
    What's come over you?
    Rag, mama, rag, I'm a pulling out your gag
    Gonna turn you lose like an old caboose
    Got a tail I need to drag

    I ask about your turtle
    And you ask about the weather
    Well, I can't jump a hurdle
    And we can't get together

    We could be relaxing in my sleeping bag
    But all you want to do for me, mama
    Is rag, mama, rag, there's nowhere to go
    Rag, mama, rag, come on resin up the bow

    Rag, mama, rag, where do ya roam?
    Rag, mama, rag, bring your skinny little body back home
    It's dog eat dog and cat eat mouse
    You can rag, mama, rag all over my house

    Hail stones beating on the roof
    The bourbon is a hundred proof,
    Its you and me and the telephone
    Our destiny is quite well known.

    We don't need to sit and brag
    All we gotta do is
    Rag, mama, rag, mama, rag
    Rag, mama, rag
    Where do you roam?
    Rag, mama, rag, bring your skinny little body back home Writer/s: Robbie Robertson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Nanda from Allegheny MountainsWhat I heard for years:
    “I ask about your * turn-on *
    And you ask about the weather
    I can't jump a hurdle and
    We can't get together“
  • Bruce from Michigan 48308Listening to leftover salmon version, very good!
  • Christy from Morristown, TnIf you want to have a good time and let it all hang out, this is the song for you.
  • Jackie from Oak Creek, CoI love the line "We could be relaxing, in my sleeping bag" perfect......
  • Dan from Tinley Park, Ilsousaphone**, i should know, i am a sousaphone player myself!
  • Tyler from Brantford, CanadaJohn SImon Played this on a Suzaphone, not a tuba. They are very similar though. He did know how to play brass instruments he had just never used a Suzaphone before.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."