Louie, Louie

Well, it's been 40 years since the Kingsmen came out with their hit song, "Louie, Louie." I've been searching for the official published lyrics to the song and I think I found them. It turns out that Louie is a bartender and the song is being sung by a lamenting sailor. It should be noted that the popularity of this song in 1964 launched an FBI investigation. As I recall, the FCC was interested in the matter too....all this, long before Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake entertained us at Superbowl Halftime.

Here are the lyrics:

Louie Louie, me gotta go.
Louie Louie, me gotta go.
A fine little girl, she wait for me.
Me catch the ship across the sea.
I sailed the ship all alone.
I never think I'll make it home.
Louie Louie, me gotta go .
Three nights and days we sailed the sea.
Me think of girl constantly.
On the ship, I dream she there.
I smell the rose in her hair.
Louie Louie, me gotta go.
Me see Jamaican moon above.
It won't be long me see me love.
Me take her in my arms and then I tell her I never leave again. Louie Louie, me gotta go.
(By Richard Berry. Copyright 1957-1963 by Limax Music Inc.)