DANCING ON THE MOON

Jimmie Rodgers


Early one Texas morning in Nineteen-Twenty-Two
Johnny moved West to build him a nest and find things to do
People who knew him didn't pursue him, they left him alone
Johnny has gone away, wait for another day, he'll come home

Johnny he told his lady, "Mary, I'll see you soon"
I'm goin' away to find a place to stay, I'm gonna dance on the Moon
One of these days when I change my ways, I'll come back here
Though you are lonely, wait for me only, Mary, my dear

She said, "Johnny come back, I'm a woman full grown"
She said, "Johnny come back, I don't wanna be alone"

Johnny went away and Mary waited as long as she could
She tried to make it, but she couldn't take it anymore, it wasn't good
Men in the town all waited around till Mary passed by
Mary decided since her love was divided, she'd give it a try

She said, "Johnny come back, I'm a woman full grown"
She said, "Johnny come back, I don't wanna be alone"

Ev'ry man claimed her, nobody tamed her, no man could
She had the eyes of an angel and a heart that was made of wood
Johnny was gone and the music played on to a different tune
While it was playin' Mary danced on the Moon

She said, "Johnny come back, I'm a woman full grown"
She said, "Johnny come back, I don't wanna be alone"

Late in October, the year was Nineteen-Twenty-Five
Johnny was found on the edge of town, more dead than alive
They carried him down and brought him around to Mary's room
While he was dying he whispered, "Mary, I danced on the Moon"

She said, "Johnny come back, I'm a woman full grown"
She said, "Johnny come back, I don't wanna be alone"
"Johnny come back, I'm a woman full grown"
"Johnny come back, I don't wanna be alone"

Early the very next day they lowered his body down
Mary was dressed in black and the cool wind blew her skirts around
Ev'ryone watched her, nobody touched her and nobody said a word
Then like an angel dressed in white her voice was heard

She said, "Johnny come back, I'm a woman full grown"
"Johnny come back, I don't wanna be alone"
She said, "Johnny come back and we'll play a different tune"
She said, "Johnny come back and we'll dance on the Moon"

Dance on the Moon
We'll dance on.........FADE


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - January 2006)