I Should’ve Said No (But I Survived)

If I’d known how this would end
I’d have shut that door for good
Would’ve saved my name from being dragged
Through what you called love
I was building something honest
With calloused hands and open trust
You were building exits quietly
While I was building us

Now I see it clear as day
Some truths come late


I should’ve said no
When my spirit said slow
Should’ve listened to the warning
In the silence you showed
But I survived the fall
I didn’t fold
Now the only dream I carry
Is giving my kids a life of gold
And if something ever happens to me
And they ask you why you let me go
You’ll have to live forever
Knowing you broke the heart
Of a good man who loved you whole


I opened every door for you
Never kept a score with you

Stood between you and the world
Like a man’s supposed to do
But loyalty ain’t loyalty
If it only stands one way
And I won’t apologize
For walking out of pain

You mistook my kindness for weak
Now I’m stronger than you think


I should’ve said no
When the red flags flew
Should’ve seen the truth
In the things you wouldn’t do
But I survived the storm
I outgrew

Now my babies are the reason
I refuse to lose
And if heaven calls my name too soon
And they’re asking what went wrong
You’ll hear their voices in your silence
Long after I’m gone

Bridge (Dark, stripped down — almost spoken first line)
Regret don’t fade easy
It settles in your chest
And one day when you’re alone
You’ll replay what you wrecked
A man who would’ve died for you
Instead learned how to live
And that’s the kind of loss
Time don’t forgive

Yeah I should’ve said no
But I stand here now
Still breathing, still building
Still making my kids proud
You didn’t break me
You revealed me
Stronger than I ever knew
And the pain you handed me
Turned into fuel
So if they ever ask about you
I won’t speak in spite or cold
I’ll just say some people lose
The best love they’ll ever hold

I should’ve said no…
But I survived
And I’m better now.

Country Ballard