there was a rich maharajah of magador
who had ten thousand camels and maybe more
he had rubies and pearls
and the loveliest girls
but he never knew how to do the rumba
he could afford a big reward
so to his people one day he said

ho ho ho

(which means)
take my rubies and take my pearls
take my camels and take my girls
rumba lessons I want it for
the rich maharajah of magador

ho ho

so a slick little chick
answered that`s for me
through the ad
he had placed in variety
when she saw his expense
she could tell at a glance
that he`d never learn
how to do the rumba
he had his health
he had his wealth
so he looked in her eyes and said

ho ho

take my rubies and take my pearls
take my camels i`ll keep my girls
from now on you`ll be working for
the rich maharajah of magador

ho ho

he was anxious to learn
so she taught him right
but she taught him the thrill
of a moonlit night
he discovered the bliss
of a half promised kiss
but he never learnt
how to do the rumba
and on the day she went away
you could hear all the people say

she took his rubies and took his pearls
she took his camels and all his girls
she took his money and what is more
she made the rich maharajah
the poor maharajah of magador.