DANCE LITTLE JEAN
(Jimmy Ibbotson)

John Denver - 1980
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 1982
John McEuen & Jim Ibbotson - 1999



I played a wedding for the money
And I wished that I could tell the bride and groom
Just what I think of marriage
What's in store after the honeymoon

I was grumbling to the dancers
'Bout how men and women ought to live apart
How a promise never made could not be broken
And would never break a heart

Suddenly from out of nowhere
This little girl came spinning across the floor
Her crinolines were billowing
Beneath the skirt of calico she wore

As her joy fell on the honored guests
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!"

Dance, little Jean, this day is for you
Two people you love, stood up and said "I do"
Dance little Jean, the prayer that you had
Was answered today, your Mama's marrying your Dad

Well, my cynical heart just melted
'Cause I knew what this get together meant
How it ended year of tears and sad confusion
That the little girl had spent

Well 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

Dance, little Jean, this day is for you
Two people you love, stood up and said "I do"
Dance little Jean, the prayer that you had
Was answered today, your Mama's marrying your Dad

(repeat chorus twice)