Circle left
*I came home late on Sunday; the house was a screaming zoo
I couldn't tell if it was a party, or a wrecking crew
Smile at your corner
Allemande left the corner, come back, do a dosado
Boys star left in the middle of the ring, it's once around you know
Come on boys, meet your partner, turn her by the right, she's waiting there
Allemande left, come on back, full promenade go 'round the square
Hey (pah) da da da da, yah, (ha, hey). What's the rumpus?
What's the story boy? Come on now, what's the rumpus?

*Half a dozen dancers, doing hornpipes here and far
Something running in my kitchen, I think it's my car
Grin at your corner

*People hanging out my windows, and bowling down the hall
Music loud enough to shake the walls
With your corner, say, "Boo!"

Heads (sides) do half sashay, and now you pass thru, but don't roam
Heads (sides) turn left, go single file and promenade outside back home
Sides (heads) star by the right in the center, it's once around you know
All get back to home, and face your corner, get ready, set and go!
Do an allemande left your corner, come on back turn partner by the right
I say
Back to the corner, turn her by the left, keep her and promenade all the
way
Hey (pah) da da da da, yah, (ha, hey). What's the rumpus?
**What's the story boy? Come on now, what's the rumpus?

**Cad e an sceil a buachail? What's the rumpus?
(Last line in the original song.)

Circle left and everybody sing
Hey (pah) da da da da, yah, (ha, hey). What's the rumpus? (Hey.)