He started a boogie to the rhumba beat
It's the rhumba boogie, let's give it a whirl
While he plays the boogie in the South American style

Well, you step out together then you circle around
Count one, two, three, then put your right foot down
Then you circle your lady, as you swing and you sway
To the rhumba boogie in the South American way

When that old piano, it starts to ring
Everybody then starts to sing
To the rhumba boogie, done the tropical style
It's the rhumba boogie and they're doin' it all of the while

Well, the guy responsible for leadin' the band
He yells, do your stuff, it's the best in the land
It's the rhumba boogie, let's dance it awhile
To the boogie woogie done the rhumba Cubana style

While madame Lazonga was teachin' la conga
In her little cabana in old Havana
The folks in old Mexico were doin' the tango
And we were steppin' to the rhythm of an old guitar

Down across the water came Cuban Pete
He started a boogie to the rhumba beat
It's the rhumba boogie, let's dance it awhile
To the rhumba boogie down the rhumba Cubana style