This old buke's like the needle on a compass, pointing due west I remember her smile like June sunflowers, the look of her body as she slipped out that dress God, I'm such a mess Never a morning person, but that girl's still in bed The sheets are tangled, the alarm is jangling, the last dream from her pretty head I told her I was leaving, she didn't believe the words I said I ain't ever going, I ain't ever going I ain't ever going back there again She'll put on her makeup and drink from her teacup and glance at that silver frame See, I took our picture and then it'll hit her She'll cry out with pain, maybe whisper my name I ain't ever going, I ain't ever going I ain't ever going back there again No one's gonna make me, nothing's gonna take me I ain't ever going back there again Now don't blame her mama for making me promise don't come around here no more She said maybe your life's gone to hell, but that's a tour of duty she didn't sign up for When you can't save yourself, you save somebody else, maybe that's how you survive I'm running away so she don't have to see a life in slow motion suicide You throw in the towel, they call you a coward, tell you to fight, don't cut and run Well I ain't no hero, but the truth is I know it's the bravest thing I've ever done The hardest part is knowing what we could have and should have become I ain't ever going, I ain't ever going I ain't ever going back there No one's gonna make me, nothing's gonna take me I ain't ever going, going to break her heart again *