Rapid City, South Dakota

Just a ragged kid in overalls, he thumbed a ride one day.

He told me, ?Anywhere you're going is on my way.?

But as we passed by Big Al?s 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 don't move so fast in Rapid City, South Dakota.?



Now, he left her just a blanket of snow upon the farm

And that don't keep your conscience very warm.

He said his friends were too durn country and his pa was too damn mean,

And there weren?t no money pumpin? gasoline.



And her gentle eyes, the merchandise of dreams the peddler sold her

Who left her there alone in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Wichita!



The reason he was goin?, I ain't sure I could say,

Might?ve been the rodeo in Santa Fé.

?There's a doctor in Chicago, I know she?ll be all right?

He told himself as he stared into the night.



He said, ?I hope to God she finds the good-bye letter that I wrote her

But the mail don't move so fast in Rapid City, South Dakota.?



And all her people treatin? her just like they never knowed her

And the winter?s passin? slow in Rapid City, South Dakota.



Join hands with the President!



Thank you for being an American, thank you.



You?re welcome!



Thank you.



You?re welcome!