You get a shiver in the dark
You experience a feeling of excitement or anticipation in the night

It's a raining in the park but meantime-
Despite the rain in the park, something else is happening

South of the river you stop and you hold everything
You pause and pay attention to what's happening south of the river

A band is blowing Dixie, double four time
A band is playing Southern-style jazz at a fast tempo

You feel alright when you hear the music ring
The music makes you feel good and satisfied

Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
When you go inside, there aren't many people around

Coming in out of the rain they hear the jazz go down
People come in out of the rain and hear the jazz music playing

Competition in other places
There may be other places with jazz music

Uh but the horns they blowin' that sound
The instruments, especially the horns, are playing loudly and energetically

Way on down south
The music has an influence from the southern United States

Way on down south
The music has an influence from the southern United States

London town
The song is taking place in London

You check out guitar George, he knows all the chords
You pay attention to Guitar George, who is a skilled guitarist

Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
He focuses on playing rhythm and not on flashy soloing

They said an old guitar is all, he can afford
People say he can only afford an old guitar

When he gets up under the lights to play his thing
When he plays guitar under the spotlight

And Harry doesn't mind, if he doesn't, make the scene
Another musician, Harry, doesn't care if he's not in the limelight

He's got a daytime job, he's doing alright
Harry has a regular job and is financially stable

He can play the Honky Tonk like anything
Harry is skilled at playing Honky Tonk-style music

Savin' it up, for Friday night
He's saving his energy for Friday night gigs

With the Sultans
With the rest of the band, the Sultans of Swing

We're the Sultans of Swing
We are the skilled and talented band, the Sultans of Swing

Then a crowd a young boys they're a foolin' around in the corner
A group of young people are messing around in the corner

Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
They are drunk and wearing their best bell-bottom pants and platform shoes

They don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band
They don't care about the jazz band playing trumpet

It ain't what they call Rock and Roll
It isn't the type of music they prefer, which is rock and roll

And the Sultans
The band, the Sultans of Swing

Yeah, the Sultans, they play Creole
The Sultans of Swing play Creole-style music

Creole
A style of music with African, European, and Caribbean influences

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
The announcer steps up to the microphone

And says at last just as the time bell rings
The end of the performance is being announced

Goodnight, now it's time to go home
The announcer is telling the audience to leave

Then he makes it fast with one more thing
The announcer quickly adds one more statement

We are the Sultans
We are the talented band, the Sultans of Swing

We are the Sultans of Swing
We are the skilled and talented band, the Sultans of Swing