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