Love At The Five And Dime

Album: The Last Of The True Believers (1986)
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  • 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 Writer/s: Nanci Griffith
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Red Brick Music Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Harris Torner from Boca Raton, FloridaI recently learned of Nanci Griffth's passing a few years ago and also the work she did with John Prine. Nanci's " Love at The Five and Dime" is the best song she recorded. I hope that both Nanci Griffth's and Kathy Mattea's music will be enjoyed by people for eternally. There were Woolworth stores where I grew up in the Philadelphia, PA area.
  • Caroline Attaway from Jonesborough TnWhen I learned Nanci Griffith passed away, I had never heard of her. Having listened to Love at the Five and Dime she has garnered a new fan. I loved the story I discovered when I googled the song and learned about the reference made to the success Kathy Mattea had with the song in the 80's. The fact that the counter from Woolworths is now in the Smithsonian was very impressive, even though it had nothing to do with the song. Thanks to whoever uploaded the song.
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