[Verse 1]
The snitch, the snoop, the tattletale, lead a threadbare up the stairs
Adieu, my little ballyhoo, you broke my heart in two
And now I haunt the bars and scent those trite affairs
She went home to gather her comb and caught him unawares

[Chorus]
And there was her man enjoying the lay of the land
He took a walk in the dark with her dish from the stand
Girls and their creations tight in the brightest grenadine
But I'd take all that I've seen for a slow drag with Josephine
Josephine, Josephine
But I'd trade all that I've seen for a slow drag with Josephine

[Bridge]
Gavotte, garrotes, cotillions and slow arabesques
Drum-rolls and farandoles were all made in jest
But when you make that move I can't resist
When will you declare your armistice?

[Refrain]
Josephine, Josephine
But I'd trade all that I've seen for a slow drag with Josephine

[Verse 3]
In another time and place a different fate was cast
He tried to skiddle-daddle-do, she might have slapped him
Just for saying "Grant one more chance before you pass"
"Then curse the nurse that named me the first or bury me at last"
[Chorus]
And in three-quarter time the true and the false
Dancing the "Hesitation Waltz"
Then comes the "Flirtation" and temptation, hip, hip hooray
Listen to what I say then you can take it away