Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Bill Withers
Vocals
Booker T. Jones
Keyboards
Stephen Stills
Guitar
Bobbye Porter
Percussion
Jim Keltner
Drums
Al Jackson Jr.
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Bill Withers
Songwriter
Booker T. Jones
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Booker T. Jones
Producer
Bill Halverson
Recording Engineer
Bill Lazurus
Recording Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
She couldn't stand me anymore
So she just took the kids and went
You see, I've got a drinkin' problem
All the money that we had I spent
[Verse 2]
Now, I must die by my own hand
'Cause I'm not man enough to live alone
Hey, hey, she's better off without me
And I'm better off dead now that she's gone
[Verse 3]
Ah, she gave the most, took the least
She even had the priest come to our home
And I cried and prayed and promised
That I'd leave the stuff alone
[Verse 4]
Now, I must leave what I can't face
I hope she finds the kids a happy home
Hey, hey, she's better off without me
And I'm better off dead now that she's gone
[Verse 5]
She used to call her friend and cry
Then the man cut off the telephone
She'd sit and cry while I went out
And pawned the things we owned
[Verse 6]
Now, I must die by my own hand
'Cause I'm not man enough to live alone
Hey, hey, she's better off without me
And I'm better off dead
Written by: Bill Withers