I woke up in Mississippi in '51 Migrated next door became a native stepson Grew up on the rhythm of Clifton and Cleveland And the Red Hot Louisiana Band Rocking my baby through the Seventies roll In '81 I counted thirty years old Turning me loose and yet holding me close Life was a waltz that wouldn't let go Allons danser, Allons danser Come on let's dance, come on let's dance South of I-10 we really had it made Lafayette boomed 'till they capped offshore Then the oil families couldn't take it no more A two-step too fast with one foot slower I lost my partner when we hit the floor Allons danser, Allons danser Come on let's dance, come on let's dance South of I-10 we really had it made While the band was cookin' at the bar I went broke And Clifton's accordion was starting to smoke With a gold toothed grin and a laugh and a shout He said "I feel like a jet y'all, we're takin' off now!" So rock me high through the ups and the lows 'Til the music stops and it's time to go Accept this dance for the life we know And we'll get back up when we hit the floor Allons danser, Allons danser Come on let's dance, come on let's dance South of I-10 we really got it made