Peggy Seeger - Emily lyrics

Once we were single once we were young
Once we were happy husband and wife

But 14 years married 13 years Harry'd
Now I don't care what comes of my life

The first time he lifted his hand against me
He knew the blow was wicked and wrong

He put his arms 'round me said he was sorry
Sorry love sorry all the night long

The next time he lifted his fist against me
I thought I'd provoked him i was to blame

The next time the next time
And the time after i told no one
'Cause, I was ashamed

When anything crossed him i got his fist
If dinner was late he slapped me around

With beggin' and pleadin'
Stitches and bleeding nothing would do
'Til I'm on the ground

My mom come in she seen I've been crying
Seen I was cut and bruised 'round the eyes

My husband turned 'round
All smilin' and charming says all she does
Is spend and tell lies

He said I was out with men every day
He locked me indoors and tore up my clothes

My friend heard me screamin' never come near
Why did I stay with him? God only knows

If I go quiet that makes him rage
If I turn and run he's hunting me down

I says why do you hit me?
He hit me for asking whatever I do
I'm down on the ground

Each afternoon
My heart would start trembling
I followed his journey all the way home

His step at the door
Would nearly dissolve me when he walked in
My judgment was come

I know there's two sides to every question
I may be wrong he may be right

But he's got just two ways
To settle a quarrel one is his left
The other his right

The doctor said he needs my understanding
The police held him challenge
A man in his home

Everyone knows him no one defends me
After the alter a wife's on her own

I wander I cry i pray I may die
I walk up to strangers to talk in the road

Three kids and no money how can I leave him?
I loose my kids if I've got no home

The last time he hit me he nearly killed me
I thought I was dead and glad to be free

I gathered the kids up and went to a refuge
He grabbed a crowbar and come after me

When I go out i see him behind me
Three times we've moved he's found us again

If I kill myself at least I'll die easy
At least I'll know why
At least I'l know when

The refuge is bare the floors and walls echo
Nothing reminds me of comfort or home

But here I can sleep and here I can rest
Here I have friends i'm no longer alone