| Hmmm, do, do, do, do, do, do, | 
| Doooo! | 
| Where the Swanee River flows, | 
| A dancin' man known as Mose, | 
| Introduced a brand-new dance, | 
| Has the whole town in a trance; | 
| Messin' around, he calls it messin' around! | 
| Child, at a dance the other night, | 
| Someone there turned out the light, | 
| When the lights came on once more, | 
| A brother was behind the door, | 
| Messin' around, busy messin' around! | 
| A deacon called on Sister Brown, | 
| Thought her hubby was out of town, | 
| All the papers said the next day, | 
| The ambulance took his away, | 
| Messin' around, busy messin' around! | 
| Now, old King Solomon was a wise old soul, | 
| Had all the gals under his control, | 
| But if he was alive today, | 
| Sheiks would steal his broads away, | 
| Messin' around, would beat him messin' around! | 
| Why, anyone can learn the knack, | 
| Hands on your hips and nearly break your back, | 
| Stand on one spot, hold it tight, | 
| Twist to the left, and jive to the right, | 
| And believe me, you are messin' around! | 
| Oh, if you can see me now! |