Grandpa Wilbur was the first to be saved

He traveled the country playing on the church stage

They′d pass the hat, that was all he was paidHe was a dying breed long before his day, oh-oh

The lights came up and he brought them to tears

They'd run the aisle, talked in tongues and they cheered

They asked him how he did it, his response was the same

There was a little voice inside that kept on calling his name that said

Give ′em three chords and the Holy Ghost

They'll start a-moving and shaking on the floor

Don't let up when they start to sweat

They′ll be dancing all night long when revival hits

Now watch ′em dance

Go on and dance

Now Wilbur's gone and the path that he charted

Now it′s up to me to carry on what he started

The message is different, but the chords are the same

Every night in the green room I hear him calling my name, he says

Give 'em three chords and some rock and roll

They start a-moving and shaking on the floor

Don′t let it up when they start to dance

They'll be waving and a-clapping and a-shaking their hands, yeah

Oh yeah, there they go

They wanna feel the rhythm and they′re ready for more

So give 'em three chords

Give 'em three more

Hmm, now watch ′em dance

Go on and dance

Go on and dance

Go on and dance, yeah

He gave ′em three chords and the Holy Ghost

I give 'em rock and roll

Don′t let up when they start to dance

They keep moving and a-shaking and a-waving their hands, yeah

Oh yeah, there they go

They want to feel the rhythm and they're ready for more

So give ′em three chords and some rock and roll, yeah

Whoa, now watch 'em dance

Go watch ′em dance

Go watch 'em dance, yeah-yeah-yeah

Give 'em that organ, Rodney