North Dakota

I love North Dakota
'Cause you have never been there
And the days go on forever
And the towns all look the same

And I can ride the back roads
And I can walk the main streets
And show someone your picture
But they would not know your name

This city is so gloomy
I could stay in bed for hours
Maybe that's why I'm still lying here
Asking you for more

'Cause this never would've happened
If you hadn't touched my elbow
In that steamy crowded car
Heading down the western shore

And you take me to pieces
Your eye sees my favorite me
And I don't know your word for it
But you know what I mean

'Cause there's nothing I like better
Than to watch you flirting with the waitress
And that's the most inspiring thing
That I have ever seen

And there's times that you fight it
It's just the way I like it
And I wonder what I'm choosing
I wonder what I'm losing

'Cause at four o'clock this morning
You told me the story
Of a friend who couldn't stomach
All the love that came from you

And oh the straight up
Deep hurt of you
And I don't think that I can handle
Anything that true

And that's why I am leaving
And that's why I won't call you
I am getting in the taxi
Headed for the plane

But I still can feel you breathing
Still can hear your fingers play
Still can see you
Standing in the window pane

And I'm watching your goodbye
And I'm trying to cry
Guess I'm not built for this load
Guess it's back to the road

So now Delaware is tollbooths
Virginia is twilight
And Michigan's beef jerky
In a small boy's hand

And Arkansas' a skinny cop
Oregon is purple hands
And Flagstaff Arizona
Is delirium at night

And I love North Dakota
'Cause you have never been there
And the days go on for hours
And the buffalo rowing

And I can ride the back roads
I can walk the main streets
And no I never ask me
When I'm coming home

And I love North Dakota
'Cause you have never been there
And the days go on forever
And the towns all look the same

And I can ride the back roads
I can walk the main streets
I could show everyone your picture
But they would not know your name

I love, I love, I love
I love, I love, I love
North Dakota
North Dakota, yeah