[Verse 1]
Becky Johnson bought the farm, put a needle in her arm
That's the way that it goes, that's the way
And her brother laid her down in the cold Kentucky ground
That's the way that it goes, that's the way

[Chorus]
That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when she and I were friends

[Verse 2]
Well, Miranda ran away, took her cat and left LA
That's the way that it goes, that's the way
She was busted, broke and flat, and had to sell that pussycat
That's the way that it goes, that's the way

[Chorus]
That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when he and I were friends

[Verse 3]
See the brightest ones of all, early in October fall
That's the way that it goes, that's the way
While the dark ones go to bed with good whiskey in their heads
That's the way that it goes, that's the way
[Verse 4]
Now Billy Joe's back in the tank, you tell Musso, I'll tell Frank
That's the way that it goes, that's the way
Did he throw her down a well, did she leave him for that swell?
That's the way that it goes, that's the way

[Chorus]
That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when all of us were friends

[Verse 5]
When you lay me down to rest, leave a pistol in my vest
That's the way that it goes, that's the way
Do you miss my gentle touch, did I hurt you very much?
That's the way that it goes, that's the way

[Chorus]
That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when you and I were friends