Songtext Lovin and leaving Judy Collins

Lovin and leaving

When you were a cowboy on the plain

You stole my heart away

I'm writing you to say that

You were my original hero

My fabulous prince and my lover

You had the right answer to the riddle

But the years went by

And finally I left you for another

Saying this is love

I'm sorry for the pain I caused you

I was a crazy girl in those days

But I have been burned

And darling I've learned

That lovin' and leavin' don't pay

You were just the first of many men

I thought you would set me free

I took what I could

Made you a promise that you wouldn't bind me

Then I would see a new smile

See the future bright and shining

I turned and tossed

In a sea so deep no one could find me

Saying this must be love

I'm sorry for the pain I caused you

I was a crazy girl in those days

And I have been burned

And darling I've learned

That lovin' and leavin' don't pay

Finally a man came along

I gave him all I had

I would have gone to the end of the earth for him

If he'd asked me

He only turned on his heel and

Walked back the way he came

All all of my tears and the pieces of my heart

Couldn't turn him around

Maybe I've paid the price for breaking all those hearts

Maybe my dice will come up this time

With a lover that's really mine

so can you say you forgive the girl you used to love

I've played the stakes high

And I've paid for my crimes

In the name of love

I'm sorry for the pain I caused you

I was a crazy girl in those days

But I have been burned

And darling I've learned

That lovin' and leavin' don't pay