Rapid City, South Dakota

Just a ragged kid in overalls,

He thumbed a ride one day

He said, "Anywhere youre headed on my way."

But as we passed by Big Als drive-in

His eyes began to flash

He was leavin Rapid City mighty fast.

He said, "I hope to God she finds

The good-bye letter that I wrote her

But the mail dont move to fast

In Rapid City, South Dakota."

Well, he left her just a blanket

Of snow upon the farm

And that dont keep your conscience very warm.

He said his friends were too durn country

And his pa was too damn mean

And there aint no money pumpin gasoline.

And her gentle eyes, the merchandise

Of dreams the peddler sold her

As he left her there in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Now the reason he was goin,

I aint sure I could say,

Mightve been the rodeo in Santa F.

"Theres a doctor in chicago,

I know shell be all right."

He told himself as he stared into the night.

And he said, "I hope to God she finds

The good-bye letter that I wrote her

But the mail dont move so fast

In Rapid City, South Dakota."

And all her people treatin her

Just like they never knowed her

Lord, the winters passin slow

In Rapid City, South Dakota.