Jailhouse Rock
Leiber-Stoller Big Band Lyrics

The warden threw a party in the county jail
The prison warden organized a party for the inmates in the county jail

The prison band was there and they began to wail
The prison band performed and played music loudly

The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing
The music was so good that everyone started dancing

You should've heard them knocked-out jailbirds sing
The prisoners were singing loudly and energetically

Let's rock; everybody, let's rock
The lyrics urge everyone to dance and enjoy the music

Everybody in the whole cell block
All of the inmates in the jail participated in the party

Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Everyone was dancing to the music of Jailhouse Rock

Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone in the band

Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
Little Joe played the slide trombone in the band

The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The drummer boy from Illinois played loudly and energetically

The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
The entire band was called the Purple Gang and provided the rhythm section for the music

Number forty-seven said to number three
Two prisoners named number forty-seven and number three talked to each other

"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
Number forty-seven complimented number three

I sure would be delighted with your company
Number forty-seven asked number three to dance

Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Number forty-seven asked number three to dance to the song Jailhouse Rock with him

Sad sack was sittin' on a block of stone
A prisoner named Sad Sack was sitting on a block of stone

Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
Sad Sack was crying and feeling lonely in the corner of the jail

The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
The warden told Sad Sack not to be boring and to join in the party

If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair"
The warden suggested using a wooden chair to dance with if Sad Sack couldn't find a partner

Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
Two prisoners named Shifty Henry and Bugs talked to each other

No one's lookin'; now's our chance to make a break"
Shifty Henry suggested they escape while no one was watching

Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix, nix
Bugsy rejected Shifty Henry's suggestion

I want to stick around a while and get my kicks"
Bugsy wanted to stay and enjoy the party for a while longer

Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
The song repeats the idea of everyone dancing to Jailhouse Rock