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