(bob russell, carl sigman)

Dance, ballerina, dance
And do your pirouette in rhythm with your achin’ heart
Dance, ballerina, dance
You mustn’t once forget a dancer has to dance the part

Whirl, ballerina, whirl
And just ignore the chair that’s empty in the second row
This is your moment, girl,
Although he’s not out there applauding as you steal the show

Once you said his love must wait it’s turn
You wanted fame instead
I guess that’s your concern,
We live and learn

And love is gone, ballerina, gone
So on with your career, you can’t afford a backward glance
Dance on and on and on
A thousand people here have come to see the show
As ’round and ’round you go
So ballerina, dance
Dance, dance!

Whirl, ballerina!

Once you said his love must wait it’s turn,
You wanted fame instead
I guess that’s your concern,
We live and learn

And love is gone, ballerina, gone
So on with your career, you can’t afford a backward glance
Dance on and on and on
A thousand people here have come to see the show
As ’round and ’round you go
So ballerina, dance!

Dance!