Living in Kansas, a life alone
I never married, I'm hardly known
Stare out the window, guard away
Looking for another windy day

You know I was a fool to leave
I could have stayed
I held it right in my hand
I had it made
I could have had it all for keepers
But was afraid
I could have stayed

Seems like only yesterday
But forty years have I been flipped away
But since this lonely brown-haired girl
Was taken from her one and her only world

You know I was a fool to leave
I should have stayed
I held it right in my hands
I had it made
I could have had it all for keepers
But was afraid
I could have stayed

Same old bluebird, flying high
All the rainbows in the Kansas sky
Why, do I, oh why, oh why, oh why

I guess it only serves me right
For trading all that color for black and white
All this sorrow, all because
There ain't no way to stay in Kansas
When you've been to us

You know I was a fool to leave
I could have stayed
I held it right in my hand
I had it made
I could have had it all for keepers
But was afraid
I could have stayed
I could have stayed
I should have stayed