[Verse 1]
At the far end of the midway by the double ferris wheel
There's a band that plays so snakey, you can't help how you feel
Emmie Mae ran away with a man as dark as night
You can see him if you go there, second trumpet to the right

[Pre-Chorus 1]
They play "Night Train" so snakey
Black girls dancing long and lanky
Barkers barking, step right up, folks

[Chorus 1]
The show is about to begin
It's Harlem in Havana time, step right in
Silver spangles, see 'em dangle in the farm boy's eyes
Hootchie kootchie, Auntie Ruthie would've cried
If she knew we were on the inside

[Verse 2]
When Emmie Mae ran away, she came back a bottle blonde
God, the gossips had a gourmet feast chomping on how she was born
But miracle of miracles, 'cause we were underage
She got us nearly front row seats to the right side of the stage

[Pre-Chorus 2]
See that tall girl?
That's a man, that one, too
Big yellow feather fan
Barkers barking, step right up, folks
[Chorus 2]
The show is about to begin
It's Harlem in Havana time, step right in
Silver spangles, see 'em dangle in the farm boy's eyes
Hootchie kootchie, Auntie Ruthie would've died
If she knew we were on the inside