School Days
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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Up in the mornin' and out to school
The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
American history and practical math
You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
And the guy behind you won't leave you alone

Ring, ring goes the bell
The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
You're lucky if you can find a seat
You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Back in the classroom, open your books
Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks

Soon as three o'clock rolls around
You finally lay your burden down
Close up your books, get outta your seat
Down the halls and into the street
Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Right to the juke joint, you go in

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Hail, hail rock and roll
Deliver me from the days of old
Long live rock and roll
The beat of the drums, loud and bold




Rock, rock, rock and roll
The feelin' is there, body and soul

Overall Meaning

Chuck Berry's song School Days tells the story of a typical day in the life of a student in the 1950s. The lyrics paint a picture of a structured day, starting with waking up early to attend school and ending with a trip to the juke joint to unwind with friends and dance to rock and roll music. Throughout the song, the student is faced with challenges, such as a difficult teacher and a crowded lunchroom, but ultimately finds solace in the liberating and energizing power of rock and roll.


The first verse of the song highlights the academic focus of the student's day, with references to American history and practical math. The student is portrayed as hardworking and determined to pass their classes, but is also bothered by an annoying classmate who won't give them space. The ringing of the bell signals a shift in focus to lunchtime, where finding a seat and having time to eat is seen as a stroke of luck. In the third verse, the dismissal bell signals the end of the school day and the start of the student's social life. The student heads to the juke joint, where they drop a coin into the slot and dance with the one they love to the beat of rock and roll. The song ends with a triumphant declaration of the power of rock and roll to lift the spirit and energize the body.


Overall, School Days captures the spirit of the 1950s youth culture, where rock and roll represented a break from the conformity and restraint of mainstream society. The song paints a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs of daily life as a student, and the transformative power of music to elevate our spirits and bring us together.


Line by Line Meaning

Up in the mornin' and out to school
Starting the day and heading to school


The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
The teacher is imparting the principles of fair play and honest behavior


American history and practical math
Subjects being taught in school


You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Working hard to pass the classes


Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
Working very hard


And the guy behind you won't leave you alone
Being disturbed by the person behind you


Ring, ring goes the bell
The school bell rings to mark the end of class


The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
Lunch is ready to be served by the cook in the cafeteria


You're lucky if you can find a seat
Finding a place to sit for lunch can be challenging


You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Many students may not have enough time to eat during the lunch break


Back in the classroom, open your books
Returning to class and opening textbooks


Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks
The teacher may seem strict or unapproachable


Soon as three o'clock rolls around
The school day is over at three o'clock


You finally lay your burden down
Feeling relieved to be done with schoolwork for the day


Close up your books, get outta your seat
Packing up and leaving the classroom


Down the halls and into the street
Walking through the halls and out of the school


Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Heading towards the street corner and turning the corner


Right to the juke joint, you go in
Going to the music venue, known as a juke joint or nightclub


Drop the coin right into the slot
Inserting coins in the jukebox to play music


You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
Wanting to hear some good music


With the one you love, you're makin' romance
Dancing and spending time with a romantic partner


All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the urge to dance all day long


Feeling the music from head to toe
Feeling immersed in the music


Round and round and round we go
Dancing to the music and feeling carefree


Hail, hail rock and roll
Celebrating the greatness of rock and roll music


Deliver me from the days of old
Expressing desire to leave behind the past and embrace new music


Long live rock and roll
Long live the enduring power of rock and roll music


The beat of the drums, loud and bold
The loud and exciting rhythm of the drums


Rock, rock, rock and roll
Continuing to celebrate rock and roll music


The feelin' is there, body and soul
Feeling fully absorbed and enjoying the music body and soul




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ronaldherrera3479

Up in the mornin' and out to school
The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
American history and practical math
You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
And the guy behind you won't leave you alone

Ring, ring goes the bell
The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
You're lucky if you can find a seat
You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Back in the classroom, open your books
Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks

Soon as three o'clock rolls around
You finally lay your burden down
Close up your books, get outta your seat
Down the halls and into the street
Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Right to the juke joint, you go in

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Hail, hail rock and roll
Deliver me from the days of old
Long live rock and roll
The beat of the drums, loud and bold
Rock, rock, rock and roll
The feelin' is there, body and soul ....



All comments from YouTube:

@Tbolt1000TForLife

you can't beat old school rock aand roll like this thats for sure!!!

@willieluncheonette

LAST OF THREE SONGS REMEMBERING THE GREAT CHUCK BERRY.
I was going to print out the words to one of my very favorite songs of his, School Days, but 12mulligan beat me to it.
School Days reached #3 on the Billboard charts.I want to ask you one thing--has anyone ever written a more perfect song about a teenager's day in school?'
John Lennon once said, “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.’” He paved the way for such music legends as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Band, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Sex Pistols and Jerry Lee Lewis, among many others.

@JohnCharlesHeiser

Probably no song previously written better captured teenage angst.

@vamossart

The Rock 'n Roll LIVE R.I.P. Chuck Berry

@velitelczechball4973

The best thing about this song is that, it's almost the same today in school as it was 60 years ago (at least from my perspective)

@cynthiasimpson572

Miss you Chuck, rest in peace my dear brother. You where the epitome of rock and roll. 🥰❤💋 the guitaur man and the vocals weren't bad either. Much love! ❤ he was truly one of the kings of rock and roll.

@sivvybee

Rest in Peace King of Rock and Roll.

@josipkirasic835

Absolutely love this tune 💓 I love ACDC Rock and Metal, but this is where it really started👍👌
Hail, Hail Rock'n'Roll😁 Music for the soul and the ages💓

@123Deni

Chuck was the very best and seemed to have so much fun entertaining! I was in an audience when he was singing "MY DING-A -LING" everybody loved him and he seemed to love us! 💚💘 What a guy! 🎵

@starshiptrooper7670

I was born in 1957. Hail, Hail Rock n' Roll. My destiny was already sealed! RIP Chuck

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