Pride
Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics


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I wish you'd look

Who's crawling back to you

I never thought

I'd live to see today
I swore to you the day I left

This time I'd go for good

And I was even proud enough

To tell myself I could

But it took a lot of lonely nights

To ever change my mind

It took a lot of missing youth

And things that I'd left behind

Intending to keep going

But the going got too rough

And pride's not hard to swallow

Once you chew it long enough

I know we won't

Always see eye to eye

But if you'll take me back

This time I'll really try

So many things I could have done

So much I failed to do

I've never needed anyone

As much as I need you

And it took a lot of lonely nights

To ever change my mind

It took a lot of missing youth

And things that I'd left behind

Intending to keep going

But the going it got too rough

And my pride's not hard to swallow





Once I've chewed it long enough

Overall Meaning

Hank Williams Jr.'s song "Pride" is a heartfelt ballad about a man who, after leaving his partner with the intention of never returning, finds himself crawling back to her. The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer admitting to his partner that he "never thought [he'd] live to see today." Despite his initial intentions to leave for good, he finds himself returning, and it is clear that this has not been an easy decision for him.


The singer goes on to explain that it took "a lot of lonely nights" for him to change his mind and consider returning to his partner. He reflects on the things he left behind and realizes that although he initially intended to keep going, things got too rough and he couldn't handle it on his own. He acknowledges that pride can be difficult to swallow, but he has learned to do so and is willing to admit that he needs his partner in his life.


The song's chorus is a plea to his partner to give him another chance. He acknowledges that they won't always see eye to eye, but promises to try harder this time around. He laments the missed opportunities and failures from his previous time with her and admits that he has never needed anyone as much as he needs her now. The song is a touching tribute to the power of forgiveness and the strength it takes to admit when we need someone in our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish you'd look who's crawling back to you
I am ashamed to admit that I am the one who is begging for forgiveness and coming back to you.


I never thought I'd live to see today
I never expected to be in this position where I am desperately trying to win back your love.


I swore to you the day I left this time I'd go for good
When I left you last time, I promised myself and you that I would never come back.


And I was even proud enough to tell myself I could
I was so confident in my ability to stay away from you that I convinced myself that I would never need you again.


But it took a lot of lonely nights to ever change my mind
I spent many nights alone, realizing how much I loved and missed you, and it changed my mind about leaving you for good.


It took a lot of missing youth and things that I'd left behind
To realize how much I had given up by leaving you, I had to miss out on many experiences and memories from my youth that I left behind.


Intending to keep going but the going it got too rough
I wanted to keep moving forward without you, but life became too difficult and overwhelming without your support and love.


And pride's not hard to swallow once you chewed it long enough
It may have been difficult to admit that I was wrong and made a mistake, but over time, my pride became easier to swallow.


I know we won't always see eye to eye
I understand that we may have disagreements and conflicts in the future.


But if you'll take me back this time I'll really try
If you give me another chance, I promise to put in the effort to make things work between us.


So many things I could have done so much I failed to do
Leaving you made me realize how many opportunities I missed and things I failed to do while I had your love and support.


I've never needed anyone as much as I need you
I have never felt so dependent and in need of someone's love and support as I do with you.


And it took a lot of lonely nights...
The realization of how much I needed you and missed you only came after spending many lonely nights without you.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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