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The Ultimatum
Written By, Marci Hanshue
Copyright July 29, 2000

He gave her an ultimatum today
Drank his coffee, then forgot to shave
He said, "Things have got to change with us,
Or I can't see me staying here this way"

chorus
She said, "What do I need to change, what do I need to do?
I don't know anything else to be, you see--
I've spent half my life with you
And ain't it funny, it used to be good enough.
Ain't it funny, I used to be good enough to love."

She drove him to work, after he enlightened her
In his wrinkled shirt
Corrected her rear-view mirrors & caught her sadness
Looking back at her
Now she knows she's not a stupid girl
Just easily impressionable
Does she see herself through his eyes
Or through a tiny peephole to her world?

repeat chorus

She's known him well and long enough
So she shows he hurts the ones he loves...the most
But there's really no excuse for it
She's had enough...she's ready to let go

She wasn't there to meet him after work,
You shoulda saw the look of sadness on his face
He knew he'd miss the smile she'd always smile
While giving him her forgiving embrace
But then...he gave her an ultimatum today...

lll

She...carries...it...from town to town
The trench is deep from where it drags the ground
You're eyein' her from across the room
Lookin' like you're gonna make your move soon
Cause she looks so good from afar
And at your angle you can't see any scars...
Might be wishful thinkin' on your part

Chorus
Cause she's got baggage baby
So heavy...you can' t even lift it
She's troubled...
Don't be the one, don't be the one
Who's gotta sift through it

Many a man have went down this way
Tryin' to be strong 'neath all that weight
But sooner or later it becomes to much
They fall to their knees with that final soft touch
And through it all one question gets asked
"Just who the hell taught her to pack?"