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Never on the Day You Leave Lyrics
No, it's never on a day you leave
That you wonder what you still believe in
And you can't remember why you said goodbye
You'll hear an old familiar sound
And hope it's her when you turn around
But never
Never on the day you leave
Love grows in
The time it's been
Since you last heard her sing
She'll cut her hair
And move somewhere
She don't owe you anything
No, it's never on a day you leave
You can tell how it's gonna be
To watch a girl become a ghost before your eyes
You'll wish you'd given her one more kiss
To put away for a night like this
But never
Never on the day you leave
Love grows in
The time it's been
Since you last held her hand
She'll fight for you like hell
Then force herself
To like some other man
No it's never on the day you leave
That you remember Christmas Eve
And all the things you'll miss about her crazy family
You'll know how lonely it is to see
A little drugstore Christmas tree
But never
Never on the day you leave
No never
Never on the day you leave
So maybe it'd be better off to write her
And leave a little note right there beside her
That says "maybe we're not perfect
But I'll be damned if I ever leave"
That you wonder what you still believe in
And you can't remember why you said goodbye
You'll hear an old familiar sound
And hope it's her when you turn around
But never
Never on the day you leave
The time it's been
Since you last heard her sing
She'll cut her hair
And move somewhere
She don't owe you anything
You can tell how it's gonna be
To watch a girl become a ghost before your eyes
You'll wish you'd given her one more kiss
To put away for a night like this
But never
Never on the day you leave
The time it's been
Since you last held her hand
She'll fight for you like hell
Then force herself
To like some other man
That you remember Christmas Eve
And all the things you'll miss about her crazy family
You'll know how lonely it is to see
A little drugstore Christmas tree
But never
Never on the day you leave
No never
Never on the day you leave
And leave a little note right there beside her
That says "maybe we're not perfect
But I'll be damned if I ever leave"
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The song starts off long after the end of what was once a very important and beautiful relationship. He is expressing his dismay and maybe even regrets at how short sighted he was when he left. The end of the relationship has really shaken him to the point he wonders what he still believes in, but he couldn't imagine he would have this feeling on the day he left.
The refrain (love grows in...) expresses the passage of time and he explains that the girl is now leaving too
The second verse continues with more things he just couldn't see "on the day you leave" but long after are so clear. "Watch a girl become a ghost" is this woman disappearing from his life and fading away like a ghost but she still haunts him everyday.
The next refrain is the most painful, because the realization that so much of the fault lies with him hurts. "She'll fight for you like hell" cuts deep because he gave up even while fought for both of them. After awhile she gives up and forces herself to move on.
The last verse is about the longing to not be alone especially during those family holidays that he used to despise.
The final refrain / bridge has the listener realizing this is a cautionary tale, and that there is still a chance to right the ship. Instead of experiencing all of the pain of separation or divorce why not try harder and admit the faults that exist and move on together. I'll be damned if I ever leave