[Fred] I've seen for days that you've got
The ways that must be checked.
In you I never can detect
The slightest signs of intellect.
Your mad on dances,
Think of the chances you neglect.
You never seem inclined
To use your mind,
And it's quite plain to see
That I'm the brains of the family.

[Fred] Take a lesson from me
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston [Fred] Charleston?
[Fred] Think of what you might be.
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston [Fred] Charleston?
[Fred] I'm disappointed in you and your ways
[Adele] I'm double-jointed
There's no sensation
Like syncopation.
[Fred] Will you let me know why
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston [Fred] Charleston?
[Fred] That's the sort of thing I would never do
So, leave it behind
And give your mind
To something new.
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston
[Fred] Oh no!
[Adele] Charleston, Charleston with you.

[Fred] Your way of living
Soon will be giving me a pain
You just repeat that same refrain
You use your feet and not your brain.
Something has got you.
I don't know what you hope to gain.
And after all I've done,
It's not much fun
To have to have a sister who's
Got her brain in her dancing shoes.

[Fred] Take a lesson from me
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston [Fred] Charleston?
[Fred] When you’re older you’ll see.
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston [Fred] Charleston?
[Fred] The great improvements I looked for in you
[Adele] I like improvements
They make new plastic
Just like elastic.
[Fred] Say, don’t you ever keep cool?
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston
[Fred] Oh no! That’s the sort of thing silly people do.
Hey, haven’t you read
What Lincoln said br/> In ’62?
[Adele] Ye-a-a-a-h-h-h!
[Fred] Well, what’d he say?
[Adele] I'd rather Charleston
[Fred] Oh no!
[Adele] Charleston, Charleston with you.
[Fred] Not me!