[Intro: snare stomp, tambourine, pumping piano] Four in the morning in the spring of seventy-one One heel snapped, and the rain had just begun [Verse 1] Talc on the floor and the hall packed tight Every kid in town spinning till the morning light Boy in a vest with his hair combed back Said, would you dance? And my heel went crack I said, honey, I would, but I'm one shoe short Give me a rain check, I'm good for it, of course Then his family moved away by the end of June Never saw that boy again, never heard that tune [Chorus] Rain check, rain check, I'm good for the dance Fifty-four years, and you still got a chance Rain on the roof like the night that we met Rain check, honey, and I ain't paid it yet [Verse 2] Married a good man, and we danced in the kitchen Raised three girls, and they all got the kicking Spins on the lino and the radio loud Every one of my daughters could tear up a crowd Kept that broken heel in a box with the ring Never told a soul it was a rain check thing Some debts you pay off, and some you hold Some you carry in your purse till the paper's old [Chorus] Rain check, rain check, I'm good for the dance Fifty-four years, and you still got a chance Rain on the roof like the night that we met Rain check, honey, and I ain't paid it yet [Verse 3] Reunion all-nighter in the same old hall Seventy-two, and I'm standing tall New red shoes with a heel that won't quit Granddaughter said, Nan, are you sure about it? DJ spins the record that was playing when it broke Same piano and the drums, and I swear I nearly choke Then I see a vest by the talc on the rail Same combed hair, just a little more pale Walk across the floor like I'm seventeen Tap him on the shoulder, I say, I owe you something [Bridge: drums and bass, the tambourine shakes] He turns around, and he knows my face Fifty-four years, and he's still in the place Pulls a paper stub from his wallet, worn and thin Says, I wrote it down that night, I knew you'd cash it in [Final Chorus: piano glissando from the bottom to the top, then the full band] Rain check, rain check, I'm good for the dance Fifty-four years, and you're getting your chance Rain on the roof like the night that we met Rain check, honey, and I'm paying my debt [Outro: snare stomp and tambourine] Four in the morning and the talc on my shoes Took me fifty-four years, but I paid what I owed you [End]
