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 pussy 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 tell Russo, 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


Lyrics submitted by sarahp

The Way It Goes Lyrics as written by Gillian Welch David Rawlings

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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The Way It Goes song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +2
    My Interpretation

    Great and insightful song. the writer speaks of people she knew at one time or another. They all start off being born with great potential and high hopes of the parents (everyone's buying baby clothes), and then somehow ended up not so well-off. one buy good property and they commits suicide, another got into crime, got busted, some ended up drunk, others ditched for someone else etc etc etc. That part about being buried with a 'pistol in my vest', I believe speaks of the reminder of the cruel world that had put the author into the ground. the innocence is missed along the way of getting accustomed to this world, together with the loss of a gentle touch. great song, sadly true for many cases. Just my opinion.

    dylansuppiahon June 23, 2014   Link

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