John Allee

Half on the Side of the Leaver

Words and Music by John Allee

 

Half on the side of the leaver

Even while I’m left behind

I thought I’d go crazy

I thought that these days would be filled with a rage that was blind

 

But I’m half on the side of the leaver

Who hasn’t wanted to run?

Like Bonnie and Clyde

You root for the wrong side despite all the crimes that they’ve done

 

She offered the bread of her body and kisses like wine

She told me she’d love me like Jesus

And I got hooked on the lure of that line

Forever hers but never mine

 

Half on the side of the leaver

Even while I’m blown apart

Sure I lay bleeding

But wasn’t she needing a much better man from the start?

 

Now I’m half on the side of the leaver

Why that should be I can’t say

But true love’s expression

Can betray your flesh and can make you do things its own way

 

She offered the bread of her body and kisses like wine

She told me she’d love me like Jesus

And I got hooked on the lure of that line

For Heaven knows she’s so divine

 

Half on the side of the leaver

Half on the side of the leaver

Half on the side of the leaver …

​

(The title of this song comes from a line in the poem "Stag's Leap" by Sharon Olds)

© 2007 John Allee/Portuguese Knees Music ASCAP.
Lyrics Reprinted with Permission.  All Rights Reserved.