Back There Again

This old Buick's like the needle on a compass pointed due west
I remember her smile like June sunflowers
The look of her body as she slipped out that dress
God, I'm such a mess

Never a mornin' person, but that girl's still in bed
The sheets are tanglin', little arm is janglin'
The last dream from her pretty head
I told her I was leavin'
She didn't believe the words I said

I ain't ever goin'
I ain't ever goin'
I ain't ever goin'
Back there again

She'll put on her makeup and drink from her tea cup
Glance at that silver frame
See, I took our picture and then it'll hit her
She'll cry out with pain
Maybe whisper my name

I ain't ever goin'
I ain't ever goin'
I ain't ever goin'
Back there again

No one's gonna make me
Nothing's gonna take me
I ain't ever goin'
Back there again

Now, don't blame her mama for makin' me promise
Don't come around here no more
She said, "Maybe your life's gone to hell
But that's a tour of duty she didn't sign up for"

When you can't save yourself, you save somebody else
Maybe that's how you survive
I'm runnin' away so she don't have to see
A life in slow motion suicide

You throw in the towel, they call you a coward
Tell you, fight, don't cut and run
Well, I ain't no hero, but the truth is I know
It's the bravest thing I've ever done
The hardest part is knowing
What we could have and should have become

I ain't ever goin'
I ain't ever goin'
I ain't ever goin'
Back there

No one's gonna make me
Nothing's gonna take me
I ain't ever goin'
Goin' to break her heart again