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, 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 he kept young Rita out late at night
So, they married up in Abilene, lost a child in Tennessee
And still that love survived

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, 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 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, it's closing time
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime'

Eddie traveled with the barroom band, till arthritis took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the side
And Rita's got her house to keep
She writes dime store novels and a love so sweet
They dance to the radio late at night

They still sing
'Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, it's closing time
And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime'

As Rita was sixteen 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

They'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
They'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime