Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Dance Little Jean” was written by group member Jimmy Ibbotson as an attempt to persuade his ex-wife to give their love a second chance. Unfortunately, he did not accomplish his goal. However, the song turned into one of the band’s most popular songs. Last month, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released an album, Fishin’ in the Dark, featuring their greatest hits. The 21 track record includes “Dance Little Jean.”
Watch the band perform the popular track below!
“Dance Little Jean” Lyrics
I played a wedding for the money
And I wished I could have told the bride and groom
Just what I think of marriage
And what’s in store after their honeymoon
And I was grumbling to the dancers
About how men and women ought to live apart
And how a promise never made can not be broken
And can never break a heart
Then suddenly, from out of nowhere
A little girl came dancing cross the floor
And all her crinolines were billowin’
Beneath the skirt of calico that she wore
And oh, what a joy fell on the honored guests
As each one of them was drawn into her dream
And they laughed and stamped and clapped their hands
And hollered at her, dance little Jean
And they said, dance little Jean, this day is for you
Two people you love stood up to say I do
Dance little Jean, a prayer that you had
Was answered today, your mama’s marrying your dad
Well, my cynical heart just melted
‘Cause I figured what this get-together meant
How it ended years of tears and sad confusion
That little girl had spent
And they told the band to pack it up
About the time the couple cut the cake
But we played as long as they stayed
For love and laughs and little Jeanie’s sake
And we played dance little Jean, this day is for you
Two people you love stood up to say I do
Dance little Jean, a prayer that you had
Was answered today, your mama’s marrying your dad
It was answered today, your mama’s marrying your dad
Be sure to share this song with other country music fans!
