You circle to the left, round the ring you know
Reverse back and do it single file
Girls backtrack, once around, box the gnat
You pull her by and go left allemande, weave the ring
*If someone's gotta win, then I gotta lose
You promenade your baby to them jailhouse blues
Oh, why did I leave the righteous path
Nobody knows but me

Head 2 ladies chain, you turn the girl and then
Same 2 go forward, then come back, square thru
Count to 4 you do, then go triple swing thru
Two by two you're movin' down the track
When you're done you turn thru, your corners allemande
You pass one, next one promenade the land
Oh, why did I leave the righteous path
Nobody knows but me

*And when the jailer man turns that big black key
You promenade your honey round the ring with me

*You only got four walls in a two-by-four
Promenade your baby, walk around that floor