The triangles they used to play
Would set the gypsy rhythms tingling,
Till roused by their metallic jingling

The gypsy girls began to sway.
Their tambourines took up the theme,
While mad guitars in rhythm beating

Were unrelentingly repeating
This very song, this same refrain!
Tra la la la la la la.


The copper and the silver rings
Would shine against the dusky faces;

The red and orange of their dresses
Would go swirling upon the wind;
And soon the dance was under way.

It started slowly with the singing,
Then gaining speed and wildly spinning,
It whirled away, away, away, away!

Tra la la la la la la.

The gypsy men with hands awhirl,

Beat out a rhythm mad, demonic,
Intoxicating with their music
Inflaming every gypsy girl!

And by the rhythm of the song,
Demented and with passion burning,
They were swept away, wildly spinning,

In a whirlwind borne along!
Tra la la la la la la.