Thompson, Richard - Why Must I Plead Lyrics

All your bitterness and lies
Sting like tears in my eyes
And a thousand love-sick tunes
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind
You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation
Oh but mercy, we used to love all day and drive all night
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Well my friends are indiscreet
And I sing myself to sleep
I don't mind the red wine
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap
Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I ask who your friend is and you say it's Santa Claus
I ask you to come home, 
You say you're tired of being indoors
Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
Oh mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
Oh mercy, you said forever till the end of time
Oh why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Oh why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
I said why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Songwriters: Richard John Thompson

Stunningly superb in every way! Brilliant biting lyrics, a fantastic voice and the greatest guitarist on the planet.

"I don't mind the red wine, Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap" Brilliant!

All your bitterness and lies
Sting like tears in my eyes
And a thousand love-sick tunes
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind

You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation

Oh but mercy, we used to love all day and drive all night
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites

Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine

Well my friends are indiscreet
And I sing myself to sleep
I don't mind the red wine
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap

Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I ask who your friend is, and you say it's Santa Clause
I ask you to come home, you say you're tired of being indoors

Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
Mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
Mercy, you said forever till the end of time
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine

I said why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
---
Why Must I Plead
Richard Thompson

great song, could imagine Van Morrison doing this.

fucking brilliant!

Awww havent been able to listen to this since my husband left me - but I found some one new and he loves me better

So good for you. :) Richard's music heals and helps. I think he early on devoted his life to singing about the troubles and problems of the common man, which I admire him for.

I was the one with the Santa Claus, and this song still breaks my heart, because those good times when we were, "low as dogs and high as kites" were great. Those who leave aren't always happy about it.

'er indoors' fucking the milkman....rock n roll x

One Fucking Great record....women what they like'''but we still 'love em....Sue I found someone new....bye...x

a substitute bottle of whisky. a very flavorful whisky.

Say it's Santa Claus haha!.This guy taught me to be a better guitar player.Saw him first time at Strawberry Music festival in 1996.High as hell on some outrageous psych. 

+Steve Scott RT does not get high.

+Marty Uhl I wasn't referring to him.

This is one of my all time Richard Thompson songs (out of so many fabulous others). It makes me weep like a grandmother every time I hear it.

oooooooooooooo thats a bitter song....best song he ever wrote....women can't live with them....can't live with them....lots of love Sue...lennydylan...xx

fucking amazing song....full of angst....women what are they like....can't live with them..can't live with them...xxxx

Where in Houston did you see him? I'm in Houston, too. I've seen him several times, and neither venue where I saw him even exists anymore. :-( He was awesome, naturally ... both with and without the band.

To me, it's this *and* "Keep Your Distance"--but I think this has gotta be #1 for me, too.

I saw him play in Houston right after R&S was released. I don't recall him playing this song, but was still a great show.

My favourite song on the album. It really bites you, and leaves the teeth marks to show where its been.

@bravogolfhotel Mystery Wind and this one are equally brilliant!

He's the greatest and this song is one of his best.

This is simply a great song. Like "Keep Your Distance" or "Mascara Tears," if you were to come across such a gem amidst the ocean of musical crap out there, this song's beauty and excellence would make your breath catch in your throat. Richard Thompson is one of the greatest singer/songwriter/guitarists ever to walk our planet, and many people do not even know who he is!

Everybody loves "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", but THIS is the best song on the album.

If you were listening to other music and going about your business and then this came on it would simply stop you in your tracks.