Linda Allen - The Bargain lyrics

The Bargain Climbing trees and skinned up knees Always running wild She knew her parents loved her, but She was a problem child She wore her brother's jeans and shirts Her mother said, "ok - But when you turn thirteen, my girl You'll have to change your ways" It was the bargain that they made It was the price she had to pay If life was not all she would hope Her time would come, she'd learned to cope And though a few small dreams might fade It was the bargain that they made Married in 1955 To the high school baseball star She thought she'd bought her freedom He drove the fastest car She thought she'd work a year or two Maybe go to school someday Her husband said, "My wife can't work - What would the neighbors say?" CHORUS So she stayed at home for fifteen years She'd cook & clean and sew Raised the kids with loving hands Loved to watch them grow Had the boss to dinner And she kept her husband's books They laughed about the feminists She worried 'bout her looks When the kids got older She volunteered her time And when her husband started school She went to work part time When her sister's husband left her For a woman half his age She thought about the feminists She understood the rage Now the kids are on their own Her husband sometimes grieves For his children's laughs and hugs He never could receive How a man could give his life and heart To an office far away His wife just held him as he talked There was nothing she could say It was the bargain that they made It was the price he had to pay If life was not all he would hope His time would come, he'd learned to cope And though a few small dreams might fade It was the bargain that they made