[ original version by R.E.M. ]

Looking at your watch a third time, waiting in the station for a bus
Going to a place that's far, so far away and if that's not enough
Going where nobody says hello, don't talk to anybody they don't know

You'll wind up in some factory that's full time filth and nowhere else to go
Walk home to an empty house, sit around all by yourself
I know it might sound strange, but I believe you'll be coming back before too long

Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to RockvilleAnd waste another year

At night I drink myself to sleep and make believe I don't care if you're not here with me
'Cause it's so much easier to handle all my problems if I'm too far out to sea
Something better happen soon or it's gonna be too late to bring you back

Don't go back to RockvilleDon't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year

It's not as though I really need you
If you were here I'd only bleed youBut everybody else in town only wants to bring you down and
That's not how it ought to be
I know it might sound strange, but I believe
You'll be coming back before too long

Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year

Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year