I had a sky-blue, rag top Mustang, a 1964
Then she burned that pony to the ground on the desert in new Mexico
Or so crazy when she's been done wrong
I put a call into her mamasita back in El Paso
She said she got the story from Rita on her way to Mexico
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
Took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
I've never known a love so strong

She drove it off into the night till it just wouldn't go no more
She said, "You're lucky all she broke was your heart
She never gave me a chance to explain

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
You better just let her go"
All I could do was clean up the mess and wonder where she'd gone
Her mama knew I was takin' it hard, said she was sorry about my car
I've never known a love so strong

She caught a ride on into town, bought some gas and laid the top down
Or so crazy when she's been done wrong

She gave me every chance a man could want
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
Well I guess it doesn't much matter now anyway
She gave me every chance a man could want
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone