I
intended to include this song on my Places I’ve
Been (2008) album, because I have a demo from the late
sixties on which I played a pretty good finger-picked lead
guitar.
But on listening more carefully I decided I might have been
too easy on myself in trying to let the girl down gently
(in contrast to Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice” which
inspired this song but was more out-front).
I’m adding this to MayneSmith.com in February 2010 because
I’ve heard from several guys who have been singing the
song for many years and want to hear my original version. Thank
you Rolly Brown, Jim Cerano, and Charley Walter, for keeping
the song alive and letting me know about it.
Play
the Song!
Click
the play button to hear the song, or right-click
the MP3 button to download the file to your computer.
It’s been nice to be your friend,
and I’ll be one til the end,
And the times we’ve had together have been grand
But don’t get the wrong idea when I whisper in your ear
That I love you and I really understand
CHORUS
I’m your pal not your man
I love you, but as a friend
Through the years I’ll stick by you
And my friendship will be true
But I’m not the man for you
If it hurts you to be told,
then I’m sorry to be bold
Perhaps I ought to go somewhere and hide
I would rather leave than lie, even though it makes you cry
I just can’t keep worries bottled up inside
CHO
Now it often worries me that my heart remains so free
And I wonder sometimes will I find the one
But until that time arrives, I’ll refrain from telling
lies
And admit that true love simply hasn’t come
