Lyrics
Guess that it was bound to happen
Anticipation that a breakup was inevitable.
Was just a matter of time
Time was the determining factor.
But now I've come to my decision
The decision to end the relationship has been made.
And it's a-one of the painful kind
The decision is painful for the speaker.
'Cause now it seems that you wanted a martyr
The partner desired a martyr, someone extraordinary.
Just a regular guy wouldn't do
Average or regular guys were not sufficient for the partner.
But baby I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you
The speaker cannot be a martyr on a lover's cross.
Yes, I really got to hand it to you
Acknowledgment of the partner's effort.
'Cause girl you really tried
The partner tried hard in the relationship.
But for ev'ry time that we spent laughin'
The ratio of joy to sorrow in the relationship was imbalanced.
There were two times that I cried
The speaker experienced more pain than happiness.
And you were tryin' to make me your martyr
The partner wanted the speaker to be a martyr.
And that's the one thing I just couldn't do
Being a martyr was something the speaker couldn't endure.
'Cause baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you
Refusal to hang on a lover's cross for the partner.
'Cause tables are meant for turnin'
Acknowledgment that situations can change.
And people are bound to change
People are destined to evolve.
And bridges are meant for burnin'
Metaphorical reference to burning bridges when relationships change.
When the people and mem'ries they join aren't the same
When the people and memories change, bridges burn.
So I'll hope that you can find
Hope for the partner to find someone else.
Another who can take what I could not
Someone who can handle what the speaker couldn't.
He'll have to be a super guy
The new person needs to be exceptional (super guy or god).
Or maybe a super god
The speaker was not a martyr previously.
'Cause I never was much of a martyr before
Resistance to starting a new martyr-like role.
And I ain't 'bout to start nothin' new
Declining to embrace a new role.
And baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you
Reiteration of not hanging on a lover's cross.
'Cause tables are meant for turnin'
Reiteration of the concept that situations can change.
And people are bound to change
Emphasis on the inevitability of people changing.
And bridges are meant for burnin'
Restating the metaphor of burning bridges in evolving relationships.
When the people and mem'ries they join aren't the same
When people and memories change, bridges burn.
So I'll hope that you can find
Reiterating hope for the partner to find someone else.
Another who can take what I could not
Emphasizing the need for someone capable.
He'll have to be a super guy
The new person must be exceptional (super guy or god).
Or maybe a super god
Reiteration that the speaker was not a martyr before.
'Cause I never was much of a martyr before
Resistance to starting a new martyr-like role.
And I ain't 'bout to start nothin' new
Declining to embrace a new role.
And baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you
Final refusal to hang on a lover's cross.
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