And I'm longing to make myself that strong
And I come to you every night in my head
And I left home so long ago and it's time to make amends

When I left you I was just a child
Now I need you but I've gone five hundred miles
And I'll find a way back into your arms
But I've been gone for far too long to ever win your charms

Hey, I'm going away
from the footlights here that blind me
Hey, what's that you say
I'm leaving you behind me

Well my name is Mary Donnel and I'm twenty-one today
I've got my walking papers so there's nothing you can say
I'm sick of this old one way town and farms and families too
I'm off to find a better life and I don't need you

Hey, I'm going away
from the footlights here that blind me
Hey, what's that you say
I'm leaving you behind me

Now I'm Mary from the south side and I've just turned twenty-two
Working tables at the Black Dog and wearing out my shoes
And I guess if getting grabbed is all I'm qualified to do
I need to find a better life where I don't need you

Hey, I'm going away
I'm leaving you behind me
Hey, what's that you say
your ties will never bind me

All my life, all my life
I've wanted something I can't have
All this time, all my time
has all been wasted

Now I'm just plain Mary and I think I'm twenty-four
Walked the streets for two years now, it seems like ten or more
I'm petrified and I'm positive and I don't know what to do
Except to find a better life where I don't need you

Hey, I'm going away
from the footlights here that blind me
Hey, what's that you say
there's nothing left inside me

Hey, I'm going away
someplace you won't find me
Hey, what's that you say
these ties will never bind me
Hey, I'm going away
I'm leaving you behind me
Hey, what's that you say
no one can deny me