But she gave ten dollars for a ten cent hat
When I woke up this mornin' and I turned my head
But when I come back and gotta buy another ticket
I told him all about her pretty eyes and long, blond hair

I was broke as I could be

"She's workin' four to twelve at trucker's world tonight"
Well, I got off the train somewhere in Arkansas

There wasn't a cotton pickin' thing on her side of the bed
I believe I did see her leavin' on the east bound train"
Well when I walked in she saw me, and she took off her apron
Me and her and that mean eyed cat
She bought a ticket with her tips and now we're curled up on the sofa
But I put on my overalls and I headed to town
I asked the man down at the station if he'd seen her there
I found a little old note where her head belonged
And I worked up the guts to call my mother-in-law
I bought a round trip ticket on the east bound train
Gonna bring her back with me
He spit his tobacco, said, "I'll be dad blamed
I was scared as I could be
It said, "Dear John, honey, baby, I'm long gone"
And she grabbed her goin' home hat
Gonna bring her back with me

She said, "I'll tell you where she is, if you act right"
When I heard a whistle blowin', and the big wheels a-turnin'
And bought some store bought cat food for that mean eyed cat