It's Saturday night
The night that the kababayan turn into peacocks
They used to say that we Pilipinos
Were crazy for the white women
That may be true, but they were also crazy for us
And besides, so few of our ladies were allowed in this country at that time
So for entertainment
We would go to places like the Sampaguita Ballroom
You know, it's over here on Main Street

I can already hear the music
While I'm in my room
Putting on my double-breasted suit
You know, the one with the pinstripe?
And I will practice my dance moves in my beautiful Macintosh shoes
But it is when I put on my fedora that I know I was ready for
The Pilipino Tango

It was another world when we passed through those doors
There was beauty and color and laughter
Some of the boys would like to drink,
Some played pool
Some were in the back-room gambling
But me
I loved to tango

I close my eyes
Music fills my ears
And before you know it
My true nature appears
My pockets may be empty
But my heart is full
When I hear the Pilipino Tango

GIRLS: LIKE YOU HONEY, FOR YOU A NICKEL
LOVE YOU HONEY, FOR A DIME
IF YOU HAD AN EXTRA DOLLAR
I COULD DANCE WITH YOU ALL NIGHT

So many flowers to pick from
When we've been in a barren land
It's a small price to pay to feel like a man
My troubles are fading
When I take your hand
To do the Pilipino Tango

GIRLS: LIKE YOU HONEY, FOR YOU A NICKEL
LOVE YOU HONEY, FOR A DIME
IF YOU HAD AN EXTRA DOLLAR
I COULD DANCE WITH YOU ALL NIGHT

I do not know why they like me
Maybe it's because I give them presents
But they give me presents too

GIRL 1: Joe, you look mighty handsome in that suit tonight
And, sometimes they need help
GIRL 2: Joe, my mom's so sick and I just got to go home to Kansas City
Well I have some pesos saved up I can give you if you want
GIRL 2: Oh Joe, you're my savior

GIRLS: I LOVE THE WAY YOU TREAT ME, HONEY
It's because you're number one
YOU'RE GENTLE AND YOU HANDLE ME JUST RIGHT
I CAN'T TAKE YOU HOME TO MY MAMA
Never mind your mama!
BUT I'LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU TONIGHT

(Tango Dance)

Your alabaster skin
The sweet of your soft hair
My temperature's rising
There's magic in the air
I never dreamt I could tell you
You're the only one
When we do the Tango

I LOVE THE WAY YOU TREAT ME, HONEY
YOU'RE GENTLE AND YOU HANDLE ME JUST RIGHT
I CAN'T TAKE YOU HOME TO MY MAMA
BUT I'LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU TONIGHT

Out on the streets, we may be taboo,
But here in your arms just me and you
Some people think that you play me for the fool
But I don't care
You make me feel good

I close my eyes
Music fills my ears
And all of a sudden, my true nature appears
I will always remember the way that I felt with you
When we did the Pilipino Tango