We left home when we were barely past eleven-teen   Been back and forth and all around through hell and rain   I've loved you half of your life and I'll keep on loving you   But I can't change in every way you want me too      We spend a lot of time out on the highway   Coming from some town we played along the way   After thirty years of knowing me the way you do   You know I can't change in every way you want me too      But babe that red bandana tied around your auburn hair   You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere   Yeah, you're never gonna be no Bobby McGee but you're trying to   But I can't change in every way you want me too      Every time you leave the stage I know you've had your fill   And I wonder why you grew up and why I never will   Yeah, I'm forty-one today still going on twenty-two   But I can't change and live the way you want me too      That red bandana tied around your auburn hair   You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere   Yeah you're never gonna be no bobby McGee but your trying to   Yeah, but I can't change in every way you want me too   No I can't change and live the way you want me too