Jet Song
Original Broadway Cast Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you're a Jet
You're a Jet all the way
From your first cigarette to your last dyin' day

When you're a Jet, let them do what they can
You got brothers around you're a family man!
You're never alone
You're never disconnected!
You're home with your own
When company's expected, you're well protected!
Then you are set with a capital J
Which you'll never forget
Till they cart you away
When you're a Jet
You stay a Jet!

I know Tony like I know me
And I guarantee you can count him in
In, out, let's get crackin'
Where you gonna find Bernardo?

It ain't safe to go into P.R territory
He'll be at the dance tonight at the gym
But the gym's neutral territory
Hey A-Rab I'm gonna make nice there I'm only gonna challenge him
Great, Daddy-O, so listen everybody dress up sweet and sharp

Meet Tony and me at dance after 10?
And walk tall
We always walk tall
We are Jets, the greatest

When you're a Jet, you're the top cat in town
You're the gold medal kid with the heavyweight crown!

When you're a Jet, you're the swingin'est thing
Little boy, you're a man little man, you're a king!

The Jets are in gear
Our cylinders are clickin'
The Sharks'll steer clear
'Cause every Puerto Rican's a lousy chicken!

Here come the Jets like a bat out of hell
Someone gets in our way, someone don't feel so well!

Here come the Jets, little world, step aside!
Better go underground, Better run, better hide!

We're drawin' the line
So keep your noses hidden!
We're hangin' a sign
Says "visitors forbidden"
And we ain't kiddin'

Here come the Jets, yeah and we're gonna beat




Every last buggin' gang n' the whole buggin' street!
On the whole buggin' ever, lovin street yeah

Overall Meaning

The "Jet Song" sung by the Original Broadway cast of West Side Story is a song that establishes the theme of rivalry between two gangs - the Jets and the Sharks. The song describes the Jet lifestyle and their sense of community. It portrays the idea that being a Jet comes with a sense of security and belonging, and shows that the Jets are a force to be reckoned with. The lyrics of the opening lines, "When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way, from your first cigarette to your last dyin' day," suggests that being a Jet is not just a temporary phase of life, but a lifelong commitment. It emphasizes that being a Jet is more than just being part of a group; it is a way of life.


Throughout the song, the Jets are presented as a tight-knit community, and the song highlights that they are always there for each other. The line "When company's expected, you're well-protected," emphasizes the loyalty and protection that the members of the Jets provide to each other. They are always united, and no one ever feels alone or disconnected. These sentiments are reinforced later in the song with the line "We always walk tall, We are Jets, the greatest," which further emphasizes the sense of pride and power that comes with being a Jet.


The song concludes with a warning to their rivals, the Sharks, and the line "Here come the Jets, yeah and we're gonna beat every last buggin' gang n' the whole buggin' street yeah." This line perfectly captures the essence of the song and the Jets, who are ready to take on anyone who stands in their way.


Line by Line Meaning

When you're a Jet
Being part of the Jets gang defines every aspect of your life


You're a Jet all the way
You belong to the Jets gang forever, until your dying day


From your first cigarette to your last dyin' day
Being a Jets member defines your entire life, from youth to death


When you're a Jet, let them do what they can
Don't let anyone stop you from being part of the Jets family


You got brothers around you're a family man!
The other Jets members are like your family and are always there for you


You're never alone
As a Jets member, you can always rely on your fellow Jets


You're never disconnected!
The Jets gang provides a sense of belonging and unity


You're home with your own
The Jets are your home, and the other members are like your family


When company's expected, you're well protected!
The Jets will protect their own from anyone or anything that threatens them


Then you are set with a capital J
Being part of the Jets gang gives you a sense of identity and belonging


Which you'll never forget
The Jet identity will stay with you forever


Till they cart you away
Even in death, you will always be a Jet


When you're a Jet
Being a Jet is a way of life


You stay a Jet!
Once a Jet, always a Jet


I know Tony like I know me
I understand Tony better than I understand myself


And I guarantee you can count him in
I'm sure Tony will be there and ready to help


In, out, let's get crackin'
Let's get started right away


Where you gonna find Bernardo?
Where can we find Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks?


It ain't safe to go into P.R territory
It's dangerous to go into Puerto Rican territory


He'll be at the dance tonight at the gym
Bernardo will be at the dance in the gym tonight


But the gym's neutral territory
The gym is a safe space for both Jets and Sharks


Hey A-Rab I'm gonna make nice there I'm only gonna challenge him
I will try to be friendly with Bernardo, but if needed, I will fight him


Great, Daddy-O, so listen everybody dress up sweet and sharp
Everyone should look their best for the dance


Meet Tony and me at dance after 10?
Do you want to meet Tony and me at the dance after 10 pm?


And walk tall
Act confident and proud


We always walk tall
As Jets, we always carry ourselves with pride


We are Jets, the greatest
We are the Jets gang, and we are the best


When you're a Jet, you're the top cat in town
As a Jet, you are the most powerful and respected person in the city


You're the gold medal kid with the heavyweight crown!
You are the best of the best, like an Olympic champion with a title belt


When you're a Jet, you're the swingin'est thing
You are the coolest and most popular person around


Little boy, you're a man little man, you're a king!
Being a Jet makes you grow up faster and feel like royalty


The Jets are in gear
The Jets gang is ready and prepared


Our cylinders are clickin'
We're working like a well-tuned machine


The Sharks'll steer clear
The Sharks gang will avoid us due to our power and reputation


'Cause every Puerto Rican's a lousy chicken!
We believe that all Puerto Ricans are cowardly and weak


Here come the Jets like a bat out of hell
We are charging towards the Sharks with great speed and force


Someone gets in our way, someone don't feel so well!
If anyone tries to stop us, they will regret it


Here come the Jets, little world, step aside!
We are too powerful to be stopped by anyone or anything


Better go underground, Better run, better hide!
If anyone knows what's good for them, they will stay away and hide


We're drawin' the line
We are setting a boundary that no one should cross


So keep your noses hidden!
Stay out of our business and don't interfere


We're hangin' a sign
We are putting up a sign that clearly states our territory


Says 'visitors forbidden'
Non-Jets members are not allowed into our territory


And we ain't kiddin'
We mean what we say and won't tolerate anyone challenging us


Here come the Jets, yeah and we're gonna beat
We are going to defeat


Every last buggin' gang n' the whole buggin' street!
We are going to take on and defeat all rival gangs on the entire street




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions