[Intro – spoken in rhythm, in 3-part chatter] 🎙️ Sister 1: Hey sailor, got a minute to dance? Sister 2: Just one? He’ll need an hour! Sister 3: Then make it fast, sugar—this tide don’t last! ⸻ [Verse 1 – unison to close harmony] We’ve been waitin’ by the boardwalk, watchin’ ships roll in, Tappin’ toes and snappin’ fingers, till the band begins! Then a trumpet blew a boogie, and the floor went wild, So swing me sideways, sailor, I’m your boogie-woogie child! (Harmony cue: three-part “ba-doo, ba-doo, bah!” under brass fill) ⸻ [Chorus – tight Andrews harmony] Swing me sideways, sailor, don’t let go, Spin me ‘round till the moon says “whoa!” Dip me deep, make the ocean swoon, We’ll jitter on the jetty ‘neath a jive-talkin’ moon! (Echo lines: “Jive-talkin’ moon!” / “Oooh, too soon!”) ⸻ [Verse 2 – playful call-and-response] Solo (Sister 1): You’ve got rhythm in your anchor chain, Sister 2: He’s got swing in every vein! Sister 3: The Navy’s finest dancing fool, All: He’s breakin’ every wartime rule! (Big band riff “Ba-da-ba-da-bah!”) ⸻ [Chorus 2 – brighter and cheekier] Swing me sideways, sailor, make me sigh, Spin that compass, kiss the sky! If the admiral sees, he’ll blow his fuse— But the band’s on fire and I can’t refuse! ⸻ [Bridge – slow half-time, close jazz harmony] The tide’s rolling in and the lights are low, Your cap’s on crooked, your heart’s aglow, When morning comes and you’re out to sea, Save one last swing for me! (Soft three-part “doo-doo-doo-doo…” under muted trumpet solo) ⸻ [Final Chorus – all in, key change up a whole tone] Swing me sideways, sailor, don’t you stop, This dock’s gonna rock till the anchors drop! Let the drums go boom and the trumpets zoom— Oh honey, swing me sideways, sailor— ‘Cause the rhythm took the room! (Tag – unison shout) “A-hooooy!”
