We left home when we were barely past eleven-teen Been back and forth and all around through hell and rain I've loved you half of your life and I'll keep on loving you But I can't change in every way you want me too We spend a lot of time out on the highway Coming from some town we played along the way After thirty years of knowing me the way you do You know I can't change in every way you want me too But babe that red bandana tied around your auburn hair You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere Yeah, you're never gonna be no Bobby McGee but you're trying to
But I can't change in every way you want me too Every time you leave the stage I know you've had your fill And I wonder why you grew up and why I never will Yeah, I'm forty-one today still going on twenty-two But I can't change and live the way you want me too That red bandana tied around your auburn hair You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere Yeah you're never gonna be no bobby McGee but your trying to Yeah, but I can't change in every way you want me too No I can't change and live the way you want me too