Rita was sixteen years, hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She made the Woolworth counter shine
And Eddie was a sweet romancer, and a darn good dancer
And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime

And they'd sing
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, 'cause it's closing time
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime

Eddie played the steel guitar
And his mama cried 'cause he played in the bars
And kept young Rita out late at night
So they married up in Abilene, lost a child in Tennessee
Still that love survived

'Cause they'd sing
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, 'cause it's closing time
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime

One of the boys in Eddie's band took a shine to Rita's hands
So Eddie ran off with the bass man's wife
Oh, but he was back by June, singin' a different tune
And sportin' miss Rita back by is side

And he sang
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, 'cause it's closing time
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime

Eddie traveled with the barroom bands
'Til arthritis took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the side
Rita's got a house to keep
Dimestore novels and a love so sweet
They dance to the radio late at night

And they sing
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, 'cause it's closing time
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime

'Cause Rita was sixteen years, with hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She really made the Woolworth counter shine
Eddie was a sweet romancer, and a darn good dancer
And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime

Copyright: BMG Rights Management
Writer(s): Nanci Griffith