you know my work life was lookin’ good
I was haulin’ light freight
up and down the Interstate
I was doin’ okay
and my love life was doin’ good
had some money to date
but I was playin’ it straight
wasn’t stayin’ up late
but then one day, I was makin’ my way home
and I stopped at this bar up on the road
took a look around and I said, “oh, no”
‘cause somehow Rosie was sittin’ there alone
Rosalene, Rosalene
you’re a nightmare, you’re a dream
ain’t you the prettiest girl I ever seen?
Rosalene
Rosalene, Rosalene
like a beauty from a magazine
ain’t you the prettiest girl I didn’t need?
Rosalene
you know I played it cool, like I should
got a whiskey poured straight
took a walk ‘round the place
sat down and said, “hey”
then we was playin’ pool, and it was good
asked her out on a date, after droppin’ the eight
she got that look in her face
but then she kept on lookin’ at her phone
told me her old boyfriend just might show
the dude he came in and I said, “oh, no”
I ain’t paid to take on such big loads
Rosalene, Rosalene
you’re a nightmare, you’re a dream
ain’t you the prettiest girl I didn’t need?
Rosalene
Rosalene, Rosalene
why’d you have to dump on some Marine?
and just why the hell am I comin’ in-between?
Rosalene
and as I lay there on the far end of the floor
the ex-boyfriend crowded over me
said “hey, punk, you want some more?”
then I saw Rosie in the bar lights by the door
so this is how it’s supposed to be
when they talk about love and war
Rosalene, Rosalene
I guess I got a head of steam
and I guess I’m gonna take one for the team
Rosalene
Rosalene, Rosalene
if I survive this damn Marine
just tell me that you’ll be my lovin’ queen
Rosalene
Rosalene, Rosalene
you’re a nightmare, you’re a dream
ain’t you the prettiest girl I ever seen?
Rosalene
Rosalene, Rosalene
like a beauty from a magazine
ain’t you the prettiest girl I didn’t need?
Rosalene