Greenwood, Lee - Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands Lyrics






She stood before God, her family & friends
& vowed that she'd never love anyone else again, only me
As pure as her gown of white, she stood by my side
& promised that she'd love me till the day she died
Lord, please forgive her, even though she lied
'Cause you're the only one who knows just how hard she tried

[Chorus:]
She had a ring on her finger & time on her hands
The woman in her needed the warmth of a man
The gold turned cold in her wedding band
It's just a ring on your finger when there's time on your hands

When I add up all the countless nights she cried herself to sleep
& all the broken promises I somehow failed to keep, I can't blame her
I'm the one who left her too many times alone
In a 3-bedroom prison, she tried to make a home
Her love slowly died, but the fire inside still burned
& the arms of a stranger was the only place left to turn

[Chorus x2]





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Greenwood, Lee Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands Comments
  1. E.... A....

    This whole song is as chauvinistic as you can get!! The whole song all he says is I’m wrong for leaving her alone!! I’m the jerk for what I’ve done!! I did the wrong!!
    But then it’s lord forgive her?!? Seriously what the fuc*????!

  2. k.... G....

    Hes my cousin but he dosent know

  3. J.... I....

    Men and women alike leave their partner alone with a Ring on their finger

  4. E.... A....

    I guess cause he has a “golden voice” he can sing the most chauvinistic crap and people love it??!??

    E.... A....

    What if I like the "chauvinistic crap" and not the voice?

  5. E.... A....

    And we wonder why baby boomers are so chauvinistic and mysogonistic??

  6. E.... A....

    I’m wrong!! Im wrong!!! Im an ass!! Im wrong!! Im wrong!! Im a jerk!!

    But lord forgive her who did no wrong??
    Talk about chauvinistic and mysogonistic!!!!

  7. E.... A....

    Seriously listen to how chauvinistic and mysogonistic the lyrics are..
    I’m wrong for deserting her all those nights.. I’m wrong.. I’m wrong.. I’m wrong..
    But it’s lord forgive her??

  8. D.... A....

    Did I marry the only woman under 50 who is not a useless bitch

  9. E.... A....

    Seriously people. Take the time and listen to the words... I’m wrong for leaving her alone, I’m a jerk for deserting her all those nights, I’m wrong, I’m wrong.. all through the song..
    Then it’s lord forgive her?!?
    No wonder the baby boomers are so damn chauvinistic!!

  10. L.... G....

    Ring on my finger and we're ready to get married for 25 yrs.

  11. E.... A....

    So. This whole song. I left her alone so many days and nights. I’m a jerk for deserting my wife. I’m the bad guy I’m an ass for leaving her alone so much.....
    But lord forgive her?!?
    Seriously how damn chauvinistic and mysogonistic can you get?!?

  12. E.... A....

    I’m wrong I’m wrong I’m wrong but lord forgive her!! You can not be fu*king serious!!

  13. E.... A....

    The whole song;
    I’m wrong for deserting her all those nights!! I’m a jerk cause I wasn’t there for her! I’m a terrorable horrorable husband for leaving my wife alone...
    But lord forgive her!!!!

    Seriously?!? Can you get any more chauvinistic??
    All I can say is wow!! No wonder the baby boomers are so damn mysoginistic!!!

  14. A.... B....

    A lot of negative comments about this song... don't give a shit still a good song...get over it

  15. E.... A....

    Misogynistic chauvinism at its purest!!

  16. E.... A....

    Guess cause a guy with a “golden voice” sings the most chauvinistic misogynistic song he can think of it’s a “good song”?!? Seriously!! Listen to the lyrics people!!
    I’m wrong. I did the wrong. I’m the jerk. I’m wrong. I’m wrong. I’m wrong.
    All through the song!!

    But lord forgive HER!!!
    YOU CAN NOT BE FU*KING SERIOUS!!!!!

  17. E.... A....

    The most chauvinistic misogynistic song ever!!!

    I’m wrong, I did wrong, I’m the jerk, I did wrong, in the jerk, I’m the bad guy, I deserted her....

    But lord forgive HER!!!

    WHAT THE F*CK?!?!?

  18. E.... A....

    Seriously people. Listen to the words of this song!!!
    I did wrong! I am the jerk! I’m the asshol* who deserted my wife!!
    I’m a no good idiot!! I’m wrong, I’m wrong, I did the wrong, I’m a wrong person!!

    But lord please forgive HER??!?
    Seriously??
    And we wonder why women still have to fight for equality?!? You can’t be serious!!!!

  19. E.... A....

    Serious people!! The whole song is I deserted her.. I left her alone all the time... I’m wrong.. I’m the jerk.. I did the wrong by leaving her alone..
    But lord forgive her?!? Serious people can’t get more chauvinistic than that!! This is exactly why women have to still fight for equality!!

  20. E.... A....

    This song is nothing but pure male chauvinism!!! And extreme misogyny!!
    But I guess cause a person with an amazing singing voice songs it that makes it a good song!!!
    Seriously people listen to the lyrics!!

    E.... A....

    Shut the fuck up

  21. D.... B....

    this song went to #5 on the country charts in 1982!!!

  22. E.... A....

    She’s wrong because she’s a woman!!! Is all this song says!!

  23. E.... A....

    Seriously folks.. listen to what he’s singing!!
    I did the wrong! I abandoned her! I left her alone! I did wrong! I did wrong! I did wrong! All through the damn song but it’s lord forgive her cause she lost her love for me?!? How damn chauvinistic can you get!!??!!?? I did the wrong so I should be asking her for forgiveness. On my hands and knees.... but all he can say is lord forgive her?!? What the fu*k???

  24. E.... A....

    Goes to show if you have an amazing singing voice like mr greenwood that you can sing an extremely chauvinistic mosogonistic she’s the wrong one cause she’s a woman kind of song and people will love it!!!

  25. A.... D....

    Hahahahhaha not my wife beat it like MJ dude gangstalking hahahhaha

  26. M.... Z....

    Being lonely isnt a reason to cheat on someone. She shouldve communicated with her husband. Good song. Terrible message. Even more terrible are all the women agreeing with the message of this song. Talk to your husband. Tell him how you feel. If youre lonely dont cheat. Just leave the person youre with if youre not happy.

    M.... Z....

    Matthew Zivanov how the hell can she communicate with him when he’s always always always leaving her alone?!? Listen tor the lyrics buddy!!! Seriously!! All he sings is I’m the jerk that left her alone but then lord forgive her?!? Wtf?? He should be on his hands and knees kissing her ass for forgiveness!!! Seriously!!!

  27. E.... A....

    Seriously people pay attention to the lyrics...
    I deserted her... I left her alone so many nights.... I’m a jerk... I’m the one who does wrong.... but lord forgive her who did no wrong cause she lost her love for me!!!!
    WHAT THE FUC*?!?!?

  28. E.... A....

    With songs like this we wonder why the baby boomers were so damn chauvinistic?!? Seriously??
    He left her but it’s lord forgive her!!!

  29. E.... A....

    Seriously people!!! How the fuc* is this song acceptable?
    I deserted her, I left her alone...

    Basically saying I’m wrong..
    But he says lord forgive her cause she lost her love for the jerk as*hole that would desert her!!??

    Seriously people!! WHAT THE FUC*??

    E.... A....

    Calm down knothead...he's saying that he was out working and was gone trying to make a living...unintentionally deserting her....admitting he should have seen it and known better...not blaming her...while still being upset about it...b/c he's human...

    E.... A....

    JDoggy Hoplite than why doesn’t he say lord forgive me for deserting her?!? Cause he’s a damn chauvinistic ass!!!

  30. E.... A....

    Take a minute and listen to the extreme chauvinism this song reinforces!! I left her alone so many nights. I’m wrong I’m the jerk. But lord forgive her?!? Seriously folks!!

  31. E.... A....

    Summery of this song:

    I’m a jerk and as*hole! I left my wife alone all those nights and days! I’m a jerk! I’m wrong! I’m the bad guy in this marriage! I’m the idiot!!

    Lord forgive her cause she couldn’t love an ass jerk fu*k up like me that left her alone so so many times!!

    Serious people we wonder why the baby boomers are so damn chauvinistic?? This is a popular song for them!!! And it’s all about I did the wrong!!! But lord forgive my wife who did no wrong!!!! Never lord forgive me?!?

  32. E.... A....

    Seriously people how god damn chauvinistic can you get than sing a song that all through says in a jerk for leaving her alone so many nights!! I’m an ass for deserting her all those times!! I’m the one who’s wrong here!!! But lord forgive her cause she was at home trying to love an ass like me that would desert her and lost her love for me the jerk that left her alone!!! Seriously people!!! This song is NOTHING but chauvinistic bull shi*!!! He did all the wrong but says lord forgive her for a tiny tiny tiny wrong?!? Serious!!!!what the fu*k???
    Listen to the lyrics

  33. E.... A....

    Seriously people. The whole damn song is I deserted her left her alone so many times. I’m a jerk I’m the one that did wrong in our marriage by deserting my wife. I’m an as*hole for not being there

    Then it’s lord forgive her cause she lost her love for me!?!?
    Seriously folks. This song is about as damn chauvinistic as you can get!!!
    I’m the jerk and did all the wrong!!
    But forgive her for her one tiny itty bitty wrong?!?
    What the fu*k???

  34. E.... A....

    I guess sense a guy with an awesome voice sings it changing the focus of the wrongs onto another that did no wrong is ok?!

    He deserted her! He was the jerk! He abandoned her!
    But somehow it’s lord forgive her cause she lost her love of me cause I left her alone so many nights and days!!!
    Seriously?!? WTF??

  35. E.... A....

    Seriously people how the f is this song even the least bit socially acceptable? The whole song is I left her! I deserted her!! I’m a jerk for leaving her alone! I abandoned her!

    Then it’s lord forgive her cause she lost her love for a jerk like me??
    Seriously!!! What the fu*k??

  36. E.... A....

    Stop the song at :40 and read the lyrics till :50. Lord forgive her because she lost her love for a man that deserted her!!!! Seriously. How the f is it her fault??

  37. E.... A....

    Seriously people!! Stop and listen to what this chauvinistic idiot is singing!!
    I deserted her. I left her alone. I’m wrong. I’m bad.
    But because she left my stupid as* it’s “lord forgive her”!!! Seriously people!! How is this acceptable??

  38. E.... A....

    Oh I’m sorry. I keep forgetting. Because he has a wonderful voice he can sing about extreme chauvinistic views and we accept it.
    So if I have a velvet voice I can sing songs about killing and slaughtering women cause they are sub human. And only good for sex..... so that’s how it works...

    E.... A....

    Elani Aniyvwia Holy shit you're an idiot

    E.... A....

    William Smith seriously listen to the lyrics!!! I’m wrong!!! I’m wrong!! I’m wrong!! I’m wrong!!
    But lord forgive her!!!
    Wtf???

  39. E.... A....

    Basic lyrics.
    I’m a dumbas*, I’m wrong wrong I deserted my wife, I’m a horrorable person.
    But god forgive her for leaving my stupid as*!!!
    Seriously?? How is this a hit song??

    E.... A....

    How you know he wasn't working all that time. Dumbass

  40. E.... A....

    The thing I can’t figure out is how in any way this song can be socially acceptable? He deserts her. For whatever. Leaving her alone. But somehow it’s “lord forgive her”??
    Seriously!! What the fuc*???
    This dumb as* is a chauvinistic as*hole to put the blame on her when he was the one in the wrong!!

  41. E.... A....

    So because he deserted her. And basically left her alone. It’s her fault?? Seriously!!! What the f??
    Lord please forgive her cause she tried to love a as* like me that would desert her!! And we wonder why the baby boomers are so damn chauvinistic?!? Seriously?!? He deserts her. But somehow it’s her fault?!?

  42. J.... C....

    I'm happy for you good for you because I'm still taking it to the Supreme Court which is Microsoft Windows Windows XP and every single one of your guyses Facebook Twitter all of them are getting soup so go ahead and have that money is evil he made it evil I'm going to get my money from you guys showing me to the world so how do you like

    J.... C....

    Janell Child SPAM!!!! Spam alert!!!!

    J.... C....

    Janell Child what the fuck??

  43. c.... d....

    Chris Stapleton

  44. J.... C....

    Lord please forgive her for being right

    J.... C....

    From one Janell to another Janell, Amen 🙏

  45. C.... S....

    I don’t think my husband cheated he just wanted to die I was there until they took his body

  46. S.... S....

    My favorite song by lee greenwood.

  47. A.... H....

    This is the perfect wedding song for me and Tim to slow dance to at the wedding reception

    A.... H....

    ANGELA HARTMAN seriously?? Listen to the damn lyrics!!!

  48. M.... 4....

    being lonely can be the saddest time of your life. Your partner cant see what he is doing to you mentally and physically.

    M.... 4....

    That is very true, I didnt realuze how lonely I was until I got back with my ex-husband.

    M.... 4....

    IT WORKS FOR GUYS TOO...

  49. e.... j....

    Just a ring Monica?

  50. D.... P....

    Do not ever tell me that a christian didn't tell me to stay with my cheating ex. As for you children who don't really understand this song get a real life... sometimes vows are made with the wrong people. 27 years after leaving the jerk who stepped out on me and was never home. I am very happy I left him. If you want to reply to me remember I am almost 60, and most Christians are immature.

  51. b.... d....

    love the song too , if he was at work while she was lonely. sorry wouldnt have written as nice of a song. (time on her hand) could have been getting a job also , so he wasnt so exausted from working overtime

    b.... d....

    brad dovel serious?? This song is nice?? You can’t be serious!!! It’s all I did wrong!! I’m a jerk for leaving her alone all those nights!! But lord forgive her cause she lost her love for a jerk like me!!!! Wow your an idiot!!!

  52. F.... S....

    most dangerous combo 💍 on her finger and time on her 👐 loneliness and no communication

    F.... S....

    Faith Shoulders , So true!

    F.... S....

    I feel the same way, except in my marriage, it's my wife who acts that way.

  53. c.... m....

    Lee greenwood love your beautiful voice 😙😙😙😉😉😊😊😊

    c.... m....

    connie mcclellan so having a lovely voice makes it ok to be so damn chauvinistic?? All through the song it’s I did this wrong!! I did that wrong!! I deserted my wife!!! I’m an ass!! But lord forgive her although she did NOTHING wrong!!’ Seriously??

  54. c.... m....

    great song 💗💗💗😉😉😘

    c.... m....

    Love this song and many of his others

  55. D.... P....

    Sometimes a woman just has to leave. I lived this song, Christians told me I was wrong. Some only see one side of the story. Think about it where was he while she was home alone crying. My ex was in the arms of other women. So to all of you that don't like this song you better treat your spouse right or she will find someone else who will. I did 25 years with the man who knows how to treat me right.

    D.... P....

    Diana Poindexter No mature Christian would tell you that you had to stay in a marriage where your husband was cheating on you. God's law allows an innocent mate to divorce a cheating spouse and remarry. But the wife in this song did not do that. She wrongly cheats on her unfaithful spouse. But her unfaithful spouse admits his wrong and asks God to forgive her for her wrongdoing.
    But there is another possible interpretation to this song-the husband has not been unfaithful, but has not been giving his wife his full attention, time or love. As in the first scenario, she cheats on her husband rather than do as she is allowed to do and separate from him or divorce him, but remain unmarried. Why can she not seek another mate? Again, the only scriptural grounds for divorce that allows the innocent mate to remarry is marital unfaithfulness(cheating). As in the first scenario, the wrongdoing husband is asking God to forgive his wife for her not keeping her promise to God to remain faithful to her spouse.

    D.... P....

    Brenda Mccullough Please reread my post. The "Church" or people you are referring to obviously does not teach what is right. I am not referring to that but to those who follow what is right. Just because one person or religious organization tells the wrong thing does not mean all will do that.

    D.... P....

    There is more to cheating than sex and pleasure. Sometimes lone
    liness becomes to much to take and we look for comfort elsewhere when our spouse is so busy having a nice life he forgets he has a wife.

  56. J.... F....

    It's too bad that such a nice melody and such great singing talent had to be wasted on such horrible lyrics. People who approve of these lyrics -- including the artist, I assume, and many commenters here -- seem not to know sometimes what is right and what is wrong. The lyrics state this: "She stood before God, her family & friends, and vowed that she'd never love anyone else again, only me." Notice that she VOWED it -- made a SOLEMN promise before almighty God -- "for better or for worse." Therefore she did something horribly wrong by being unfaithful. I am not excusing what the husband did (neglect), but only showing that what the wife did was even worse (adultery)! He goes on to sing, "When I add up all the countless nights she cried herself to sleep, and all the broken promises I somehow failed to keep, I can't blame her." But, although it would be good to forgive her (if she's sorry), you MUST "blame her," because she broke her VOW, and she had a solemn duty to be faithful, no matter how much you failed to be there with her, no matter how much you broke promises! For centuries and centuries, the vast majority of spouses understood the duty to be faithful to one's vows, but now the vast majority are wimps, give up, and run away from their weak husbands or wives, instead of standing by them "for better or for worse."

    J.... F....

    Dear "Vicki RN97:" Sadly, I must criticize everything that you wrote -- starting with the fact that you ought not to address me as "Dude." Based on your photo, I am old enough to be your father, and I have never been a "dude" (the true definition of which you can find in a normal dictionary). For you to be logical, you could not "approv[e] of the lyrics]" if, at the same time, you disapprove of adultery, etc.. Either you did not read my comments carefully enough, or you did not understand them -- so you have the freedom to freedom to read them again, or you have the freedom to just ignore them. What you do NOT have the freedom to do, however, is to COMMAND me to "quit" doing something and to "enjoy" something else. You may ask me to do things that you wish me to do, but you may not demand that I do them; that is why you have to be careful about you you word your comments. I had the freedom to leave the reasonable comments that I left, and I will continue to leave similar ones when the situation warrants it.

    J.... F....

    damn dudette (since you aren't a dude) get a life

    J.... F....

    Please Mr or Mss Gecik, don't do this again. You may give yourself a name. I'm sure lots of casual visitors of this YT-song red your silly comment and they already did so, without posting their opinion. If you can't, I give you some suggestions: Choose yourself what suits you best: you are a wearisome, presky, prosy, bored, tedious annoying and very, very vexing person. And please dear J.F. Gecik, don't post any comment, like this anymore, JUST SKIP THE SONG YOU DON'T LIKE and let other people enjoy their music.
    May I give you a suggestion? Play and listen very carefully to: "When I Needed You Most" (Dolly Parton).
    Have a nice day.

    J.... F....

    J. F. Gecik so you totally ignore that he deserted her!?! Seriously. I suppose if the roles were reversed it would be ok?!? Go away with your damn chauvinistic view!!!! He deserted her!!! He’s the ass!!! He did the damn wrong!!!! No wonder this land was so chauvinistic!! Bull songs like this!!!! If I was her I would have divorced his ass the first week!!!

    J.... F....

    Your attitude is why Christianity is dying in the U.S. Your attitude is not one of love but one of criticism. People aren't going to be drawn towards criticism, they will be drawn to the love being shown towards them.

  57. B.... C....

    Holy Sh_T.....Tell me Reba's version is better? I love Reba but you can't deny this, from a mans point of view. Incredible vocals like always!

    B.... C....

    This is the original, he made it first.

    B.... C....

    It's not better

  58. P.... B....

    god i love this song this reminds me of my self i live with guy who did this to me an then he hurt me bye sleeping with my sister

    P.... B....

    I'm so sorry I lost my princess of 34 years to a so called friend of mine so I understand and my heart has never healed, God bless and I pray you find happiness!

  59. B.... E....

    true song!!!!

    B.... E....

    Brian Eason

  60. L.... 1....

    trasures as a gold!!!!!! very beautiful song from amazing decades of the 80s....Really unforgettable song.

    L.... 1....

    Lasse 1964 serious?? The whole song is nothing but chauvinism!!
    I’m the jerk for deserting her all those nights. But forgive her for being right!! Listen to the damn lyrics!!

  61. B.... B....

    I lived this song,

    B.... B....

    I have the CD It has I proud to be an American where at least I know Free.The Flag Stands for freedom an they can't take that from me And it has Christmas songs on it as well. I go down the road singing at the top of my voice.My Grandfather all those year's ago.Fought in the Revolution war.The FIRST ONE.The British came back again.Burning a lot of Washington. Francis Scott Key was on that boat and that's when he wrote our national anthem.The boat was loaded with American prisoners. All wanting to know can you still see the Flag.Red Irish Rose

  62. J.... C....

    GREAT SONG BY LEE THANKS,Keith Thumbs Up Emotional Tune sung extremely well

    J.... C....

    JUST COUNTRY seriously? A song about his dumb as* deserting her. Then blaming her for leaving him is a good song?!?

  63. l.... ....

    One of the best concerts I have ever been to. He has that wonderful raspy voice, the perfect amount of that beautiful,vibrato & he will use falsetto so gently on songs ^ then he has the ability to make you feel what he is singing & boy howdy does he ever entertain when performing live! I have been a huge fan since day 1 of hearing him sing. This is one of his best, but I can't think of any that even come close to being bad. It Turns Me Inside Out literally turns me inside out, he puts so much emotion into it! Going, Going, Gone, IOU, I Don't Mind The Thorns If You're The Rose, Hopelessly Yours, of course, God Bless The USA & the list goes on. In case you can't tell, I love me some Lee Greenwood!

    l.... ....

    lovesfreedomtoo I love his music & have all his albums & cassesste tapes,in high school I babysat to have money to buy them I even named my oldest son after him his name is Tyler Lee

  64. M.... H....

    wow. what sound.

  65. D.... W....

    Born Melvin Lee Greenwood.

    D.... W....

    And?? John wane was born Marion Morison. Randy Travis was born randy traywick.... John Denver was born Henry John deuichendorf... what’s your point?!?

  66. W.... H....

    This is KC & I approve this Message

    W.... H....

    So your a misogynistic chauvinistic jerk for approving this??
    You can not be serious!! Listen to the lyrics!!
    I’m wrong I’m the jerk I’m wrong all through the song.
    But lord forgive HER!!!!
    Serious?!?

  67. M.... G....

    I love his vocal.....sound of a guy, voice of a man!!

  68. R.... H....

    He is so awesome I love every song he sings.

  69. l.... ....

    Gosh, I sure love me some Lee Greenwood, one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Loved his duets with Barbara Mandrell & when he did Hopelessly Yours with Suzy Boggus...great job on this video

  70. j.... t....

    Really wished Lee and Reba would have done a duet on this song, they both sing it so great.

  71. M.... ....

    There is absolutely no excuse for infidelity. No matter what scenario you think of, if you willingly and knowingly cheat, you're in the wrong. Get a divorce first if you beleive in divorce. You make a vow you keep it.

    Semper Fidelis

    M.... ....

    Meanolddog0311 there’s no excuse for desertion of the marriage!!!
    He ignored her but she’s wrong?!? You can’t be serious!!!!! How damn chauvinistic can you get!?!? You can’t be fu*king serious!!!!

  72. K.... W....

    great song ashamed that my wife was like this due to my poor attitude and feelings

  73. D.... H....

    i love all his songs!!!

    D.... H....

    Dean Horne so I guess if he sang about beating his wife, owning slaves, war and killing you’d like it?
    Listen to the chauvinism this song is about!!
    I did wrong I did wrong I did wrong all through it
    But lord forgive HER!!!
    Wtf?!?

  74. D.... W....

    ACC's #76 song of '82. God bless ya, brother Melvin Lee. Thanx for postin' it.

  75. S.... ....

    I remember seeing him in concert when I was a teenager. I didnt think it got any better than him. lol

  76. J.... T....

    Most Powerful song of my childhood. Now I can actually understand it.