Horseshoe Rag
 
                             - after the piano piece by Julia Lee Niebergall (1886-1968)


Julia Lee Niebergall
 
 The left-hand part trots neatly, accents true;
alone it gives no inkling of the kick
 
the right-hand part delivers—beats askew,
tied notes—and yet the mismatched gaits must click
 
together. Neither hand can miss a cue,
both reined in by one player. That’s the trick:
 
one galloping effect produced by two
conflicting rhythms—and it must be quick.
 
The pianist trains for this—it’s nothing new,
just counting beats and practicing each lick,
 
so both hands win the race. There’s no horseshoe
for luck, but this rag is a lucky pick.
 
It wins no purse, only a rave review
for Julia’s tune and timing, sweet and slick.
 
Scott Joplin won fame’s race, but Julia too
was fluent in ragtime arithmetic.
 
Jean Kreiling
 
If you have any thoughts about this poem,  Jean Kreiling would be pleased to hear them.

Listen to Horseshoe Rag here. You'll enjoy it.