[PEOPLE OF HARLEM]
His name was Coalhouse Walker

[MAN 1]
Was a native of St. Louis some years before

[WOMAN 1]
When he heard the music of Scott Joplin

[MAN 2]
In St. Louis

[WOMAN 2]
Bought himself some piano lessons
Working as a stevedore

[MAN 3]
Here was a music
That truly inspired him

[WOMEN]
Dancers required him

[MEN]
Club owners hired him
[PEOPLE OF HARLEM]
The strivers of Harlem
Respected and admired him

[MAN 4]
For turning Harlem into art

[COALHOUSE]
But Coalhouse had a broken heart...

(spoken)
The good Lord looked down, saw me lonely and loveless and thought to Himself: "Enough is enough. I'm putting
Sarah in Coalhouse's life."

(sung)
And he did

(spoken)
This wasn't a woman. This was an angel, a gift of God. Coalhouse loved this woman, but not wisely and not too well. She left me without a word or trace. There was no pity for me. 

[SARAH'S FRIEND, spoken]
None whatsoever, Coalhouse. 

[COALHOUSE]
Now she is haunting me
Just like a melody—
The only song I seem to know
Sarah, my life has changed
Sarah, I miss you so
Sarah, I did you wrong
Sarah, where did you go?
(spoken)
And then this morning, the miracle happened. I found out where she is and I'm going to do my damnedest to see she takes me back. Ladies and gentlemen, the Gettin' Ready Rag!