rita's only fault

she handled herself well

for being handled by two guards

she still looked like a prom queen

in the back of the sheriff's car

the crowd lined up from the court house

to the jailhouse down the street

how could they talk so bad

about a girl who was so sweet

rita's heart turned to ice on a hot night in july

she did what she had to do

they don't believe the reasons why

how he used her for a doormat

when he was sober enough to walk

as far as i'm concerned

he was rita's only fault

you know i've always loved her

and one time she loved me too

that first love never let me go

the way that others do

she left me for the quarterback

i knew him back in school

he had a shiny car and a fast smile

but i always knew he was a fool

now i go to see her sundays

i see the tears in her eyes

and i see the same sweet smile

that hell can't disguise

if i'd have only known

i'd have done him in myself

i'd gladly take her place

in that cold grey cell