Lyr Req: The Oceana Roll

Subject: The Oceana Roll
From: GUEST,Grampa
Date: 31 May 01 - 04:05 PM

Been singing this old Jane Powell for decades. Where can I find the lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Oceana Roll
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 31 May 01 - 05:02 PM

Try this very interesting ragtime music site: perfessorbill.com

I just ran across it there last night.

Subject: Lyr Add: OCEANA ROLL (Roger Lewis, Lucien Denni)
From: Pene Azul
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 05:23 AM

Found here.

OCEANA ROLL
Music by Lucien Denni and Words by Roger Lewis (1911)

Billy McCoy was a musical boy.
On the cruiser Alabama he was there on that "piana",
Like a fish down in the sea.
When he rattled off some harmony.
Ev'ry night out on the ocean he would get that raggy notion,
Start that syncopated motion lovingly.
No one could sleep way out there on the deep,
When Billy cut loose out at sea.

Each fish and worm begins to twist and squirm,
The ship starts in to dip and does a corkscrew turn;
Just see that smoke so black sneak from that old smoke stack!
It's floatin' right to heaven and it won't come back;
Now here and there you'll see a stool and chair,
A slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin',
While he's sittin' at that "piana", there on the Alabama,
Playin' the Oceana Roll.

England or Spain, it was always the same,
He'd be there at that "piana" on the cruiser Alabama.
Every morning, noon and night
He would keep it up with all his might.
Every time he'd start a playin'
All the boys would start a swayin',
Every one would keep a sayin', "Don't you stop!"
Sailors, take care! Oh, you sailors beware!
For Bill will play on 'till you drop.

Each fish and worm begins to twist and squirm,
The ship starts in to dip and does a corkscrew turn;
Just see that smoke so black sneak from that old smoke stack!
It's floatin' right to heaven and it won't come back;
Now here and there you'll see a stool and chair
A slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin'
While he's sittin' at that "piana", there on the Alabama,
Playin' the Oceana Roll.