But for every time that we spent laughin’/
There were two times that I cried.
In “Lover’s Cross”, Jim Croce is telling us that he is a simple man. When the relationship gets bad, he is going to leave. He isn’t going to stick around like a martyr, while he is in pain. He says “I never been much of a martyr before and I ain’t bout to start nothing new. And I can’t hang upon that Lover’s Cross for you.” So, he leaves.
I have always thought Croce was a bad ass. I remember when I was really young my dad would play his tapes in the car and he would sing about Leroy Brown “baddest man in the whole damn town”, and it blew my five-year-old mind that he said “damn” in a song. You don’t mess with Jim!
This song is great for a couple reasons. The guitar work is well done. There are two acoustic guitars playing off each other and that creates a great sound. Also, in Lover’s Cross he adds an orchestra that really fills out the rest of the sound. This song is perhaps the most highly produced song of his short career, but it paid dividends. The melody is moody and unique. And Croce’s voice is always a delight to listen to.
Lover’s Cross Lyrics
Guess that it was bound to happen
Was just a matter of time
But now I’ve come to my decision
And it’s a-one of the painful kind
‘Cause now it seems that you wanted a martyr
Just a regular guy wouldn’t do
But baby I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
Yes, I really got to hand it to you
‘Cause girl you really tried
But for ev’ry time that we spent laughin’
There were two times that I cried
And you were tryin’ to make me your martyr
And that’s the one thing I just couldn’t do
‘Cause baby, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
‘Cause tables are meant for turnin’
And people are bound to change
And bridges are meant for burnin’
When the people and mem’ries they join aren’t the same
So I’ll hope that you can find
Another who can take what I could not
He’ll have to be a super guy
Or maybe a super god
‘Cause I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain’t ’bout to start nothin’ new
And baby, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
‘Cause tables are meant for turnin’
And people are bound to change
And bridges are meant for burnin’
When the people and mem’ries they join aren’t the same
So I’ll hope that you can find
Another who can take what I could not
He’ll have to be a super guy
Or maybe a super god
‘Cause I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain’t ’bout to start nothin’ new
And baby, I can’t hang upon no lover’s cross for you
Songwriters: James Croce