You don't have to stay

You flinch when the screen door slams again

Hold your breath like it's your only friend

He’s out drinkin’ rage in a bottle of pride

While you hide the bruises and swallow your cries

Your mama warned you, but love made you blind

Now you’re holdin’ on to a man who’s left you behind

But you don’t have to stay just ‘cause he gave you a ring

You ain’t a bird in a cage with broken wings

You still got fire that he ain't put out

And strength in your soul he don’t know about

So pack up your fear, girl, and drive far away

You don’t have to stay

You still keep the light on ‘til he stumbles in

Say a prayer he won’t snap again

Your lipstick covers up last Friday night

But no shade of red can make it right

You tell yourself it’s just how things go

But deep in your gut, you already know

That you don’t have to stay just ‘cause he gave you a name

A real man loves you he don’t play that game

You still got dreams that you locked away

Like your suitcase under that bed of shame

So lace up your boots, girl, and leave him today

You don’t have to stay

There's a road past that county line

Where your tears won't feel like a crime

One turn of the key, and you’re free to believe

That peace don’t have to be make believe

You don’t have to stay, you can walk toward the sun

You ain’t the reason for the things he’s done

You still got hope buried under that pain

Like wildflowers growin’ through the pourin’ rain

So take back your heart and don’t look his way

You don’t have to stay

You flinch when the screen door slams again...

But next time it does you won't be in.