Well I heard the story once before
And I know what the tears are for
That's a lie and I just can buy
You came for me so don't try

And I see another man in your eyes
Listen you're old enough to know you can live twice
Listen so I'm telling you just exactly what to do
Cause you can have from me some advice
Pay the price

And if on another time or place
Another day, another face
I'm telling you babe it's all you know
That one of us should have to go

Listen I know you hate to see me cry
But I have to go and I tell you why
Without your love I can't go on
It's easy and it's wrong

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Buffalo Springfield's Pay The Price tells a tale of a man who has been hurt before by the woman he loves. He has heard her lies and seen her with another man through the reflection in her own eyes. The man is aware that he could live twice, that is he could give her a second chance to prove herself, but he couldn't buy her lies. He offers her advice, asking her to pay the price for breaking his heart instead of pretending that he will be okay with what she has done. The singer acknowledges that it might be difficult for her to witness him cry and leave, but he cannot go on without her truthful love.

The song speaks of the pain of betrayal and the struggle to come to terms with it. It addresses the idea that some people are not capable of giving genuine love, no matter how much they try. The man, despite being hurt, still offers the woman some advice, showing he has not given up on the hope that she may change. The whole song may also portray the concept of moving on which may be difficult but necessary for growth.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I heard the story once before
I have heard this story before

And I know what the tears are for
I understand why tears are being shed

That's a lie and I just can't buy
I know it's not true and I don't believe it

You came for me so don't try
You came to take me away, so don't deny it

And I see another man in your eyes
I see someone else reflected in your eyes

Listen you're old enough to know you can live twice
You should know that life is short and you should live it fully

Listen so I'm telling you just exactly what to do
I'm giving you advice on what to do

Cause you can have from me some advice
I can offer you some advice

Pay the price
You will have to suffer the consequences of your actions

And if on another time or place
If we had met in a different time or place

Another day, another face
If we had met on a different day or under different circumstances