He stood in the doorway
Holdin' his head half-past low
You could still feel the perfume
Hangin' at the end of the hall

She tried to fight it
She kept on denyin' it
Knowing that he'd lose without her
But the fussin', the fightin'
The boozin', the cryin'
Left her more empty than hopes

I'd rather love you than leave you, my darlin'
But lovin's just not what we do
So, as hard as a habit and as cold as my heart
I'm breakin' this forever for now

It only took two days
'Til Johnny got locked up in jail
The other guy didn't die
But he won't be walkin' for awhile

But the phone kept on ringin'
But she wouldn't let him
Get the best of her
'Cause there's no more playin' momma
Enough with the drama
Little boy, stand on your own

I'd rather love you than leave you, my darlin'
But lovin's just not what we do
So, as hard as a habit, as cold as my heart
I'm breakin' this forever for now