The Gandy Dancers' Ball

Frankie Laine · That Lucky Old Sun [2007]

Oh they danced on the ceiling

And they danced on the wall

At the Gandy Dancer's ball

Hey! Swing around, swing around,

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

The Jimmy, Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing the pretty girl round

The Jimmy, Jimmy John



The Gandy Dancer is a railroad man

And his work is never done

With his pick and his shovel and his willing hands

He makes the railroad run

There's Macanaw Mack and Toledo Jack

And the boys from Idaho

And the Frisco kid and Saginaw Sid

And good old Cotton-eyed Joe



Oh they danced on the ceiling

And they danced on the wall

At the Gandy Dancer's ball

Hey! swing around, swing around,

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

The Jimmy, Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing the pretty girl round

The Jimmy, Jimmy John



The boys will gather at the great affair

The Gandy Dancer's ball

A-kissin' their ladies with perfumed hair

And prancin' round the hall

They got the biggest band in all the land

And the rhythm rocks the room

And they holler out with a mighty shout

When the big bass drum goes boom



Oh they danced on the ceiling

And they danced on the wall

At the Gandy Dancer's ball

Hey! swing around, swing around,

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

The Jimmy, Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing the pretty girl round

The Jimmy, Jimmy John



The railroads bring 'em to the great affair

The Gandy Dancer's ball

An' every line is represented there

The big ones and the small

There's the M-K-T and the old SP

And the Lehigh Valley too

The C-N-J and the Santa Fe

The Southern and the Soo.



Oh they danced on the ceiling

And they danced on the wall

At the Gandy Dancer's ball

Hey! swing around, swing around,

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

The Jimmy, Jimmy John

Swing around, swing around

Swing around the Jimmy John

Swing the pretty girl round

The Jimmy, Jimmy John



They danced all day

And they danced all night

They all danced till the broad daylight

At the Gandy Dancer's ball



(swing around, swing around

Swing around, swing around

The Jimmy John)

The Gandy Dancers' Ball

Frankie Laine's 'The Gandy Dancers' Ball' stands as a vibrant testament to his versatility beyond the standard pop ballad. Recorded during an era where Laine frequently explored folk and novelty themes, this track captures the rhythmic energy of railroad workers, known as gandy dancers, who sang while maintaining the tracks. The song showcases Laine's powerful baritone and theatrical delivery, qualities that defined his extensive discography and allowed him to command diverse genres ranging from dramatic torch songs to upbeat narrative pieces. Appearing on the compilation That Lucky Old Sun, the recording highlights his ability to bring historical and occupational subjects to life through music. It remains a notable song in his catalogue, reflecting the storytelling tradition that helped cement his status as a major figure in mid-century American popular music.