The Way It Goes

Gillian Welch · The Harrow & the Harvest [2011]

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 pussycat

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