[Verse:]
The the'ter, the the'ter
What's happened to the the'ter?
Especially where dancing is concerned

[1st refrain:]
Chaps who did taps aren't tapping anymore
They're doing choreography

Chicks who did kicks aren't kicking anymore
They're doing choreography

Queens with routines
That would stop the show in days that used to be

One and all they're not chancing
What we used to call dancing
Instead of dance, it's choreography

[2]
Jakes who did breaks aren't breaking anymore
They're doing choreography

Who did softshoe doesn't do it anymore
They're doing choreography

Heps who did steps
That would stop the show in days that used to be

Through the air they keep flying
Like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance, it's choreography

[As sung in the film:]
The the'ter, the the'ter
What's happened to the the'ter?
Especially where dancing is concerned

Chaps who did taps aren't tapping anymore
They're doing choreography

Chicks who did kicks aren't kicking anymore
They're doing choreography

Heps who did steps
That would stop the show in days that used to be

Through the air they keep flying
Like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance, it's choreography