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

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

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
Had to sell that [bad word] cat
That's the way that it goes 
That's the way

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

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 head
That's the way that it goes 
That's the way

Now Billy Joe's back in the tank
You [bad word]  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

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

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

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