You could never compromise
 I could never satisfy you at all
 Always thought you had gentle eyes
 Then you've had me institutionalized
 (Twice before)
 
 Before I was a young man
 Now look at me, I'm just younger than old
 The years don't seem to touch you
 It makes me wonder what you sold
 
 Oh, my Maria
 I'll never change you, I know, I know
 I need to see you
 That never changes, oh no
 
 You lived on the 7th floor
 It was far from heaven but it meant more
 You said things that were hard to ignore
 My conversation makes you bored
 
 You always hated wedding bells
 You'd go out riding with the Hell's and say
 Life is for the taking
 Life is for the taking
 
 Oh, my Maria
 I'll never change you, I know, I know
 I need to see you
 That never changes, oh no
 
 So how's it gonna be, Maria?
 Will it be you and me?
 Or will it be
 Five more years of counting my tears
 Five more years of living in fear
 
 I beg for my supper at night
 If this is love then it don't feel right
 And my heart's burning out of control
 They gave her five but she's out on parole
 
 Hey, hey, hey
 This girl is leading me astray
 
 Saw a photograph of you today
 Your eyes look tired but you haven't aged
 And now I see that you made the front page
 Married for the money and you blew him away
 
 Oh Maria, when you were doing time
 You only had five words on your mind
 Life is for the taking
 Life is for the taking
 
 Oh, my Maria
 I'll never change you, I know, I know
 I need to see you
 That never changes, oh no
 
 Oh, my Maria
 I'll never change you, I know, I know
 I need to see you
 That never changes, oh no
 
 I beg for my supper at night
 If this is love then it don't feel right
 And my heart's burning out of control
 They gave her five but she's out on parole
 
 Hey, hey, hey
 This girl is leading me astray
 Listen, what I say
 This girl is leading me astray