Rowdy Rita, Rowdy Rita's late again
Her time is almost gone
Minutes fly by, clouds roll on, I see the end
Of a day kept from the sun

Rowdy Rita, Rowdy Rita's on the trail
She's famed as the ramblin' queen
In the classroom, someone asks to no avail
Can we leave if it hits 2:15?

Rita's ramblin' on
Eatin' her shrimp cocktails out in the sun
Tried to reach'er but if teacher doesn't show
It is safe to say our day is done

[Instrumental break]

Like the northwind, Rita storms in, books in hand
She's got a lesson in mind
We see our shot, say "Teacher thought we don't understand
How'd you end up so behind?"

Rowdy Rita, Rowdy Rita can't resist
Spinnin' a wonderous thread
Bus cuisine, the sights she's seen, we get the gist
But she's ramblin' full steam ahead
Rita's ramblin' on
The hands of the clock show the day is near gone
Then the bell rings, packin' our things we give thanks
For ol' Rita, the best substitute

Oh, Rita, the best substitute