“She Walked Out On Me...”

Lyrics

[FILE, spoken] You may be right—that it can last But it didn't She walked out on me [LIZZIE, spoken] Was it someone else? [FILE, spoken] Yes, it was He was a schoolteacher Dammit, a schoolteacher! [LIZZIE, spoken] Oh, well, what was he like? [FILE, spoken] He had weak hands and nearsighted eyes And he always looked like he was about ready to faint! And she ran off with him And there I was [LIZZIE, spoken] Oh, well, maybe the schoolteacher needed her and you didn't [FILE, spoken] Sure I needed her! [LIZZIE, spoken] Did you tell her so? [FILE, spoken] No, I didn't! If it gets so bad you gotta say things like that— [LIZZIE, spoken] You gotta say things like that all the time File, if you'da asked, maybe she mighta stayed [FILE, spoken] I know damn well she mighta stayed! The night she left, she said to me, "Tell me 'Don't go!'" [LIZZIE, spoken] And you didn't? [FILE, spoken] I tried—I couldn't! [LIZZIE, spoken] Oh, pride! [FILE, spoken] Oh, if a woman wants to go, let her go! If you have to hold her back— [LIZZIE, spoken] File, it's just two words—"Don't go"—and you couldn't say them? [FILE, spoken] It's not the words It's beggin'—and I won't beg! [LIZZIE, spoken] Oh, well you are a fool! [Abruptly realizing she has put her foot in it with her impulsive honesty, she is stricken. In extremis, she resorts to becoming Lily Ann Beasley.] Oh, my What am I gettin' so serious about? I'm not a serious-talking girl at all, not at all! No, I'm not, what I am is happy-go-lucky! Oh, my! What a lovely black bow tie! Did I ever tell you I just adore a man with a black bow tie? Do you make it yourself? [FILE, spoken] No, it comes ready made [She has snatched up his hat, so he won't leave. He reaches for it. She pretends not to notice.] [LIZZIE, spoken] Oh, well, it's lovely, and look at your shiny buttons Can I count your buttons? [LIZZIE, spoken & FILE, spoken] Let's see, you got (Quit that) One, two, three (Stop sashayin' around, makin' a fool of yourself) Oh, and those pearly white teeth! (Stop it!) [FILE, spoken] What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for? [LIZZIE, spoken] File, I, I— File, I was, I was just — [FILE, spoken] Don't! Don't be so damn ridiculous Be yourself! [He snatches his hat off her head and runs off.] [LIZZIE, spoken] File File!