Ain't Glad I'm Leaving
Justin Townes Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you ask me why I'm goin', tell you when it's needed
More than you know I could never be what you need
If you ain't glad I'm leaving, girl you know you oughta be
'Cause I lie I cheat I gamble, and I steal from many men
Where from Georgia to Los Angelos, Texas up to Maine
I'm a wanted man
Is that the kind of life you want to live (wanna live), baby?
(Life you wanna live)
If you ain't glad I'm leaving, well you know you oughta be
So what's a girl like you
Want a man like me (like me, man like me)
Never know what I'm gonna do
If you never know where I'll be (I'll be, where I'll be)
Now I know right now, baby
Though it might seem wrong (seem wrong), yeah (might seem wrong)
But you don't wake up in the morning
Thanking to your Heavens that I'm gone
Well I'm so good, don't take it too bad, ain't nothing you could do
Well I ever fall in love and, keep it on the move
It's just my way
I ain't trying to be mean (mean), baby (tryin' to be mean)
If you ain't glad I'm leaving
Girl you know you oughta be (oughta be, girl you oughta be)
Well if you ain't glad I'm leaving
Girl you know you oughta be (oughta be, girl you oughta be)
The song Ain't Glad I'm Leaving by Justin Townes Earle expresses the sentiment of a man who takes his time and cherishes his freedom, while acknowledging that he may not be the best partner for the woman he's leaving behind. He admits to lying, cheating, gambling, and stealing from many men, leading a life that would not make for a happy and stable relationship. The singer is aware that he cannot provide what his partner needs, and therefore, he is giving her the opportunity to find a better fit. He questions whether his lifestyle is something his partner truly wants to live and implies that he is not interested in changing his ways.
Earle uses a conversational tone in his delivery, which gives the song an informal and personal quality. With the opening line, "Well, I take my time a-comin', take my time a-leavin'," he emphasizes the idea of independence and the importance of taking life at one's own pace. The repeated line, "If you ain't glad I'm leaving," highlights the singer's understanding that his partner may not be happy about his departure, yet strongly implies that it is for the best. The line "It's just my way, I ain't trying to be mean" suggests that the singer is not intentionally hurting his partner, but being true to his nature.
In summary, Ain't Glad I'm Leaving is an acknowledgment of personal responsibility and the recognition that not everyone is suited for a long-term relationship. The song encourages a sense of self-awareness, both of one's abilities and limitations, and reminds us that some things are better left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I take my time a-comin', take my time a-leavin'
I am in no rush to come or go.
If you ask me why I'm goin', tell you when it's needed
I will tell you the reason for my departure only when necessary.
More than you know I could never be what you need
I cannot fulfill what you require from a partner.
If you ain't glad I'm leaving, girl you know you oughta be
You should be happy that I am leaving because of the type of person I am.
'Cause I lie I cheat I gamble, and I steal from many men
I engage in dishonest behavior such as lying, cheating, gambling, and stealing from others.
Where from Georgia to Los Angelos, Texas up to Maine
I have operated in different states within the USA.
I'm a wanted man
There are people looking for me because of my misdeeds.
Is that the kind of life you want to live (wanna live), baby?
Do you want to live a life associated with someone who engages in illegal activities like I do?
So what's a girl like you
What type of woman would be interested in a person like me?
Want a man like me (like me, man like me)
Why would you desire a partner with traits like mine?
Never know what I'm gonna do
It is unpredictable what actions I will take in the future.
If you never know where I'll be (I'll be, where I'll be)
I can be anywhere at any given time.
Now I know right now, baby
I acknowledge that my behavior may seem inappropriate.
Though it might seem wrong (seem wrong), yeah (might seem wrong)
Even though my actions may appear inappropriate, I do not believe there is anything wrong with them.
But you don't wake up in the morning
You do not have to worry about my actions anymore.
Thanking to your Heavens that I'm gone
You will be relieved of your stress caused by me being gone.
Well I'm so good, don't take it too bad, ain't nothing you could do
I am aware that I am highly skilled, and it is not your fault that I am leaving.
Well I ever fall in love and, keep it on the move
If I ever fall in love, I will not stay in one place for long.
It's just my way
This is the way I am, and it is unlikely to change.
I ain't trying to be mean (mean), baby (tryin' to be mean)
I am not attempting to be unpleasant, rather, trying to express my true self.
If you ain't glad I'm leaving
If you are not satisfied that I am leaving,
Girl you know you oughta be (oughta be, girl you oughta be)
you should be glad because of the type of person I am.
Well if you ain't glad I'm leaving
If you still are not happy that I am leaving,
Girl you know you oughta be (oughta be, girl you oughta be)
you should be happy because of the type of person I am.
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.