You get a shiver in the dark
It's raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowing Dixie, double four time
You feel alright when you hear the music ring

Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Coming in out of the rain they hear the jazz go down
Competition in other places
Uh but the horns they blowin' that sound
Way on down south
Way on down south
London town

You check out guitar George, he knows all the chords
Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
They said an old guitar is all, he can afford
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing

And Harry doesn't mind, if he doesn't, make the scene
He's got a daytime job, he's doing alright
He can play the Honky Tonk like anything
Savin' it up, for Friday night
With the Sultans
We're the Sultans of Swing

Then a crowd a young boys they're foolin' around in the corner
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
They don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band
It ain't what they call Rock and Roll
And the Sultans
Yeah, the Sultans, they play Creole
Creole

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
And says at last just as the time bell rings
"Goodnight, now it's time to go home"
Then he makes it fast with one more thing

"We are the Sultans
We are the Sultans of Swing"


Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by jan1097800

Sultans of Swing Lyrics as written by Mark Knopfler

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Sultans Of Swing song meanings
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  • +7
    My Interpretation

    It's about the grass roots of music - these guys who aren't trying to become famous or make lots of money out of music. They are just there for the love of the art and to try and make the lives of people around them brighter.

    I think it's a beautiful celebration of this kind of part time musician, there is a certain romance about playing your music just for pure enjoyment.

    DRB00on July 10, 2014   Link

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