Baltimore Todolo

The great ragtime composer Eubie Blake was born in 1887 on Forest Street in East Baltimore. Dan Meyer Choir has taken his piano piece, Baltimore Todolo, and added a 4-part SATB choral part above it.

Lyrics:

I hear a mouse a-runnin’ up and down the piano keys.
It’s tickling the ebony and ivories.
I feel the rhythm in my system from my head to toe.
And it’s called the Baltimore Todolo.

Eubie Blake, it’s clear that man knew how to burn the beat, hooey!
He could take an old piano and turn it to a swingin’, singin’ symphony.
He could syncopate like no one’s business with his Eubie Blake ragtime.
His syncopation fills the nation shore to shore
Beginning here in ol’ Baltimore.
It’s ticklin’ ears and earnin’ cheers ‘cause all adore
The Todolo of Baltimore.

I hear the piano beatin’ like the beatin’ of my heart.
I simply can’t sit still when Eubie’s melodies start.
I find my fingers start to snap and then I tap my toe
When I hear the Baltimore Todolo.

From down in Federal Hill up to Hampden,
The folks in Lauraville and east to Canton;
The whole of Baltimore is having great fun,
So lose your lonely blues, there’s no excuse to be late, hon.

Ol’ Eubie knw exactly what to do
To cast a spell on you.
When he took a beat that pounded,
Wrapped a melody around it
Then left it for us, and we’re glad we found it:
Baltimore Todolo.

When his left hand started stridin’
What’s the point in runnin’, hidin’?
Since life’s never dull here and you’ll fit right in.
Baltimore Todolo.

The town’s forgettin’ gloom and movin’ to a tune so sweet.
A hundred-thousand people on the off-beat.
You know we take the music with us everywhere we go.
And it’s called the Baltimore Todolo.

Piano accompaniment by Eubie Blake
Words and choral parts © 2010, Daniel C. Meyer