Rita was 16 years
Hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She made that world worth kinda shine
And Eddie was a sweet romancer
And a darn good dancer
They'd waltz the hours at the five and dime

Now Eddie played a steel guitar
His momma cried 'cause he played in the bars
And he kept young Rita out late at night
So they married up in Abilene
Lost a child in Tennessee
Woe and still that love survived

'Cause Eddie said

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 of Rita's hand
So Eddie ran off with the basement wife
Oh, but he was back by June
He was singing a different tune
Sporting his Rita back by his side

And they said

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
Until off-riders took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the site
And Rita's got a house to keep
She writes dime-store novels and their love so sweet
They dance to the radio late at night

And he said

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
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime