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
and this never would have 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
that's the most inspiring thing that I have ever seen

And those times when 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 so true
And that's why I am leaving and that's why I won't call you
I am getting in the taxi and I'm heading for the plane
but I still can feel you breathing I still can hear your fingers play
and I 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 towns all look the same
and I can ride the back roads and I can walk the main streets
and I could show everyone your picture but they would not know your name
I love, I love, I love
North Dakota