Onstage at the Orpheum
Waiting for a diploma
Looking out at my classmates
Ready to disown them
My bags were packed
I was ready to leave
For university
I was moving up and out
Out of Omaha
Oh, it didn't last

One night I was drinking alone
So I drove out to Denver
To visit an old friend
Who had settled down there
I kept on driving all through the night
And threw up in dawn's early light
Sick on caffeine pills
My friend, he escaped from Omaha
Oh, I never will

Oh, I had a lover once
She was a nomad
Would have followed her anywhere
So we moved out to Portland
She was selling baggage
I bought all I could
And that was all it took
To make my escape
Oh, Omaha, oh, you never looked so good

I am leaving
I'm sailing away
My time in Iowa
Was just a holiday
I've got to get back over that bridge
To the town where I live
I guess that's where I'll stay
Oh, Omaha, oh, Omaha