I left home on a southbound train
One September in the pouring rain
A midnight flyer, and a girl named Lori Rose
Mama said son it won't last
She'll be gone when you're out of cash
Hey mom, I need a ride back home

All your life you run to love
You give your heart then it's not enough
Buy hey babe, that's the way it goes

So Romeo in a G.T.O.
Met Juliette at the drive-in show
Midnight dreamin' down the Texas coast
We stopped to wish upon a star
She stole my breath, she stole my car
But hey baby, it's just the way it goes

Every time that your heart breaks
You swear you won't make the same mistakes
But hey baby, that's the way it goes
First your money, then your clothes

Oh no, love ain't cheap
There's a toll booth up on Lover's Leap
Sweet romance take a chance
Come and dance with me

I'm ridin' out on a southbound train
Just a Romeo in the pouring rain
But hey baby, that's the way it goes
First your money, then your clothes

Slow down, slow down now
Hey mom, slow down, when you roll down
'Cause I'm low down now