Just a ragged kid in overalls, he thumbed a ride one day
He said, "Anywhere you're headed is on my way"
But as we passed the big [Incomprehensible] drive-in
His eyes began to flash, he was leavin' Rapid City mighty fast

He said, "I hope to god she finds
The goodbye letter that I wrote her
'Cause the mail don't move too fast
In Rapid City, South Dakota"

Well, he left her just a blanket of snow up on the farm
That won't keep your conscience very warm
He said his friends were too darn country
And his pa was too damn mean
And there ain't no money in pumpin' gasoline

And in her gentle eyes was the merchandise
Of dreams the peddler sold her
As he left her there alone in Rapid City, South Dakota

Now the reason he was goin', I'm not sure I could say
Might've been the rodeo in Santa Fe
"There's a doctor in Chicago, I know she'll be alright"
He told himself as he stared into the night

He said, "I hope to god she finds
The goodbye letter that I wrote her
'Cause the mail don't move too fast
In Rapid City, South Dakota"

All her people treatin' her
Just like they never know her
Lord, the winter passes slow
In Rapid City, South Dakota