Guess that it was bound to happen
Was just a matter of time
But now I've come to my decision
And it's a-one of the painful kind
'Cause now it seems that you wanted a martyr
Just a regular guy wouldn't do
But baby I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you

You really got to hand it to ya
'Cause girl you really tried
But for every time that we spent laughin'
There were two times that I cried
And you were tryin' to make me your martyr
And that's the one thing I just couldn't do
'Cause baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you

'Cause tables are meant for turnin'
And people are bound to change
And bridges are meant for burnin'
When the people and memories they join aren't the same

Still I hope that you can find
Another who can take what I could not
He'll have to be a super guy
Or maybe a super god
'Cause I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't bout to start nothin' new
And baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 03:02


Lover's Cross song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Reginald, we must be twins or something. I went through the same experience with an old flame, and it was an emotional rollercoaster with her. Turned out she had become a two-faced, sanctimonious woman. I finally had to say goodbye to her.

    I love Jim Croce's songs, especially this one. He had a way of appealing to universal emotions in his lyrics. They don't make 'em like that anymore.
    Flag bryandurioon September 15, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I dated a very religious (Christian) girl and this song pretty much describes our relationship—she was very self-righteous and probably needed someone who shared the very same beliefs. She also created crises in the relationship. I don't know if Croce was writing about a religious person, but the lyrics really fit.

    I think if it is about a religious ex, then it makes some of the religious imagery a little more biting. Either way, it's a brilliant song that can be taken a few different ways.
    Flag reginaldperiwinkleon June 19, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think this song is about someone who is in a relationship that was doomed from the beginning. He has finally reached the point where he just cannot bend any further. He has given and given and given but he just can't give any more. It is his turn to call the shots (tables are meant for turning) and he is calling it quits for good (bridges are meant for burning) because they don't have or never have had the same idea about what their relationship is (the people and memories they join aren't the same).

    Awesome song, awesome artist. Such a loss.
    Flag bjd841on June 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:An underrated song that receives little airplay from a great songwriter. I think it means more than a gf or spouse who tries to turn you into something you're not. I think he is referring to an emotionally abusive partner who wants to turn the relationship into a soap opera - a drama queen, for lack of a better term. This song is about reaching the point where you have the courage to respect yourself and end the relationship.
    Flag lyricthinkeron March 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Very pretty song... my gf keeps thinking about breaking up and has so much fear... it hurts so bad that she won't trust me and she can't take me for who I am... i'm not sure what kind of "super-god" it will take to win her, but i'm beginning to really doubt its me... ouch.
    Flag luketheduke17on July 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Nicely said LittleFreakThing a great song..
    i love jim croce!!
    Flag mcroy76on February 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i know exactly how it feels to have someone try to make you into something that you're not and they won't love you unless you become this shadow of who you REALLY are. if they can't love you for who you are then it's their loss. find someone you will. no one is worth crying for, but if you find someone who is then they won't make you cry at all.
    Flag LittleFreakThingon May 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I am really surprised by the lask of responses to this song. What a wonderful song, and so true too. Everyone's been there.
    Flag Tapies24on May 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song, so sad but it happened to me once, my girlfriend was trying to make me something I wasnt and it broke our relationship up
    Flag Olexon January 28, 2005   Link

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