This ain't the life I thought I'd live This ain't the home I hoped we'd make This ain't the path I thought I chose This ain't the sky I'd hoped we'd see This ain't the tree I thought would grow This ain't the god to which I pray This ain't the song I thought I'd write These ain't the words I want to say I can't be your man This ain't the flag I thought we'd raise This ain't the wind I'd hoped would blow This ain't the ship I thought would sail This ain't the rose I'd hoped would bloom This ain't the play I thought we'd stage These ain't the hills I'd hoped we'd roam This ain't the sword pulled from the lake Yours ain't the heart I want to break But I can't be your man This ain't the end I thought it'd be Are you someone I've loved before In this the song the caged bird sings Is there some law I choose to ignore This is a faith I must defend I've tried, I can't pretend There is a hope I must contend We'll find the thread with the strength to mend I can't be your man Least not this time around And it's something unpredictable Like where a leaf might fall And it's something unrestrainable Like a rooster's morning call I can't be your man