Rita was sixteen years
Hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She made the Woolworth counter shineAnd Eddie was a sweet romancer
And a darn good dancer
And they waltzed the aisles of the five and dimeAnd they'd sing
Dance a little closer to me
Hey, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonightDance a little closer to me
Hey, it's closing time
And love's on sale
Tonight at this five and dimeEddie played the steel guitar
And his mama cried 'cause he played in the bars
And he kept young Rita out late at nightSoon they married up in Abelene
Lost a child in Tennessee
But still that love survivedAnd they'd sing
Dance a little closer to me
Hey, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonightOne of the boys in Eddie's band
Took a shine to Rita's hand
So , Eddie ran off with the bass man's wifeOh, but he was back by June
Singin' a different tune
Sporting Miss Rita back by his sideAnd they'd sing
Dance a little closer to me
Hey, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonightEddie played in the barroom band
'Til arthritis took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the sideAnd Rita's got her house to keep
She sells dime store novels with a love so sweet
And they dance to the radio late at night and still singAnd they'd sing
Dance a little closer to me
Hey, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Songwriters
NANCI GRIFFITHPublished by
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