• The sound of a polka drifted from my neighbor's
    and set my feet a-tapping oh!
    Ieva's mother had her eye on her daughter but
    Ieva she managed to fool her, you know.
    'Cause who's going to listen to mother saying no
    when we're all busy dancing to and fro!

    Ieva was smiling, the fiddle it was wailing
    as people crowded round to wish her luck.
    Everyone was hot but it didn't seem to bother
    the handsome young man, the dashing buck.
    'Cause who's going to mind a drop of sweat
    when he's all busy dancing to and fro!

    Ieva's mother she shut herself away
    in her own quiet room to hum a hymn.
    Leaving our hero to have a spot of fun
    in a neighbor's house when the lights are dim.
    'Cause what does it matter what the old folks say
    when you're all busy dancing to and fro!

    When the music stopped then the real fun began
    and that's when the laddie fooled around.
    When he took her home, when the dancing was over
    her mother angrily waiting they found.
    But I said to her, Ieva, now don't you weep
    and we'll soon be dancing to and fro!

    I said to her mother now stop that noise
    or I won't be responsible for what I do.
    If you go quietly and stay in your room
    you won't get hurt while your daughter I woo.
    'Cause this fine laddie is a wild sort of guy
    when he's all busy dancing to and fro!

    One thing I tell you is you won't trap me,
    no, you won't find me an easy catch.
    Travel to the east and travel to the west but
    Ieva and I are going to make a match.
    'Cause this fine laddie ain't the bashful sort
    when he's all busy dancing to and fro.