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
Now 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
Oh, and 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 his 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 bar room 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"
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
When they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
When they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
When they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime