The moon hung like a shadow on a rung over Shangai

Them soldier boys were returning home screaming "Banzai"

And the kids are still playing their games

Gettin hustled and rustled out in the rain

As I sat inside listening to the broadcast

Oh save my soul sweet rock'n'roll 'cause I'm sinkin' fast

And then the band played

Out of nowhere, it was alright



Well now the legendary chaplain of the fightin' 51st was gettin' ready to go

I said: Padre, do you know a cheap virgin who like to tango?

He said: You can try Linda Lee,

Around the corner and across the sea

Oh word is out word is out she's fast

Oh blow me down Linda 'cause I'm sinkin' fast



Yes and them cats are sure getting fat

down in the train yard

And the sandman brings them dreams

to ship out in boxcars

The union says hold, break out the dice, break out the gold

It's lunchtime at last



And old Big Mama said: "Georges Raft's tonight on the late show"

She sits straddlin' a kitchen chair, really gung-ho

She shivers with chills, wet with her slot-card thrills

Hypnotically lost in the glass

And we all sigh with the sunrise

As we watch the credits pass

And the little blue dot went away



And then the morning cloak fell down

like a hoax over Sleepytown

Them garbage truck vigilantes out making their last rounds

The inheritor he sipped his beer

And poked fun at the queer

And threatened to kick his ass



And the bell rings, a horn blows

And he's outside pumpin' gas

But the things were movin' so slow tonight

So the kid goes back inside the station

And turns on his radio to his local AM station

And then the band played

Right on the radio, it was alright

And the boys in the band sung

And the band played, everybody