Rita was 16 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
He 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
Sportin' Miss Rita back by his side, 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 travelled with the bar-room bands 'til arthritis took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the side
And Rita's got her house to keep, dime store 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 16 years, hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She really 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 waltz the aisles of the five and dime
And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime