I work at the Palace Ballroom
The cheer at the Palace is cheap
When I get back to my chilly hallroom
I´m much too tired to sleep

I´m one of those lady teachers
All beautiful hostess´ you know
The kind the Palace features
At exactly a dime a throw

Chorus:
Ten cents a dance, that´s what they pay me
Gosh, how they weigh me down
Ten cents a dance, pansies and rough guys
Tough guys who tear my gown
Seven to midnight I hear drums
Loudly the saxophone blows
Trumpets are breaking my eardrums
Customers crush my toes
Sometimes I think I´ve found my hero
But it´s a queer romance
All that you need is a ticket
Come on, big boy, ten cents a dance!

Fighters and sailors and bow-legged tailors
Can pay for a ticket and rent me
Butchers and barbers and rats from the harbors
All sweethearts my good luck has sent me

By the chorus of elderly beaux
Stockings are porous with holes in the toes
I´m there to closing time
Dance and be merry, it´s only a dime

(repeat chorus)