Lyrics

[LECTURER, spoken] The American "five and dime" A place for young people to convene and dance to the popular tunes of the day Although some of the moderns steps might seem a bit risqué Most parents turn a blind eye, assuming it's all in good fun But when the dancing's done, who shall pay the piper? [STUDENTS] After school is let out we just like to get out To the place where jitterbug is always in style Satchmo is a-singin', Dorsey is a-swingin' A syncopated wonderland that brings on a smile Come and stretch your dance abilities Nobody is feelin' ill at ease When your toes are tappin' anything can happen Down at the ol' Five and Dime Dancin', dancin' Razmatazz that always has you Sashayin', swayin' Buy your gal some jujubees She'll be swoonin', spoonin' Down at the ol' Five and Dime [MS. POPPY] If you're feeling glooming, glide on over to me Try the finest cherry fizz in all of the land My after school oasis, gets the hopeless cases Hopping and a-bopping to the Five and Dime band [STUDENTS] You can buy yourself a pack of smokes [MS. POPPY] Laugh at all my corny knock knock jokes [STUDENTS] Gotta take the gang out to the local hangout Where Benny Goodman is king Dancin', dancin' [MS. POPPY] Then enjoy some cracker jacks [STUDENTS] We'll get frisky, risky [MS. POPPY] Cool off with a malted milk [STUDENTS] We're all boppin', come drop in Down at the ol' Five and Dime [JACK, spoken] Hey, kid, I'm Jack [MS. POPPY] Sometimes men would come to call Who stank of sin and Barbasol They'd ask kids if they felt at all like Having themselves a few kicks, ooh [JIMMY, spoken] I'm Jimmy, pleased to meet you [JACK, spoken] Jimmy? Like a Jimmy Cagney, eh? [JIMMY, spoken] Don't I wish [JACK, spoken] Girl trouble, eh? [JIMMY, spoken] It's Mary I've been trying to work up the nerve to give her my school ring On account of she's my best gal [JACK, spoken] That's some handcuff you got there Real gold? [JIMMY, spoken] Paid for it with my paper routes Yeah, nothing but the best for my Mary [STUDENTS] Feel the crazy rhythm in your feet Everybody keep in reet petite Blazing bright as neon, maybe we could be on Major Bowes' amateur hour [JACK, spoken] I've got just the cure Let's say we blow this popsicle stand and found ourselves a real party, eh? I'll show you some of the new steps Hey, hot things, let's tear it up [Instrumental Break] [JIMMY, spoken] Oh-oh, you sure shake wicked calf Could you teach me how to dance like that? [JACK, spoken] Time I'm through with you You'll make Fred Astaire look like Barney Google Come on, we'll have a laugh Half hour, tops [JIMMY, spoken] Well, if you're sure we'll only be a half hour [JACK, spoken] Kid, it's a promise from me to you [STUDENTS] Dancin', dancin' Charleston till our tootsies ache We'll be grinnin', spinnin' Rompin' to the Savoy Stomp We're rug cuttin', struttin' Then as a coda, we drink ice cream soda Here down at the ol' Five and Dime, yeah