You both know he's dying
But despite your life of sacrifice
Disease eats his health away
'Cause that's how life threw the dice
Giving no care to your children
Who watch their father die
They keep smiles on their faces
'Cause it does no good to cry

This is not what was promised you
This is not what you dreamt of
when you said, "I do"
And you avoid asking why
Because then you’d just have to cry
And there’s no one here to hold you

You both know he's lying
But in spite of the trust you gave
His infidelity eats your heart away
As you watch your marriage cave
And you can't shield your children
Who watch their father leave
They know that there's a God
But in love, they can't believe

This is not what was promised you
This is not what you dreamt of
when you said, "I do"
And you avoid asking why
Because then you’d just have to cry
And there’s no one here to hold you

You both know he's trying
But despite promises repeatedly vowed
The anger eats his reason away
He'll hit you when you're too loud
And you can't protect your children
Who watch their father's violence
They grow in the fear and the hate
You wonder how long they'll keep their silence

This is not what was promised you
This is not what you dreamt of
when you said, "I do"
And you avoid asking why
Because then you’d just have to cry
And there’s no one here to hold you

© Jennifer Hill 2000