Joni was the girl who lived next door
I've known her, I guess, ten years or more
Joni wrote me a note one day
And this is what she had to say

(Jimmy, please say you'll wait for me)
(I'll grow up someday you'll see)
(Saving all my kisses just for you)
(Signed with love forever true)

Slowly I read her note once more
I went over to the house next door
Her teardrops fell like rain that day
When I told Joni what I had to say

Joni, Joni please don't cry
You'll forget me by and by
You're just fifteen, I'm twenty-two
And Joni, I just can't wait for you

Soon I left our little home town
Got me a job and tried to settle down
But those words kept haunting my memory
The words that Joni wrote to me

(Jimmy, please say you'll wait for me)
(I'll grow up someday you'll see)
(Saving all my kisses just for you)
(Signed with love forever true)

I packed my clothes and I caught a plane
I had to see Joni, I had to explain
How my heart was filled with her memory
And ask my Joni if she'd marry me

I ran all the way to the house next door
But things weren't like they were before
My teardrops fell like rain that day
When I heard what Joni had to say

(Jimmy, Jimmy please don't cry)
(You'll forget me by and by)
(It's been five years since you've been gone)
(And Jimmy, I married your best friend John)