Dana Clark

Copyright 2004 Dana Clark

(This song chronicles a woman’s escape from an abusive relationship.)

He didn’t mean to hurt me.
He’s under so much stress.
And then the kids disturbed him
when he tried to get some rest.
He doesn’t mean the things he says; he speaks before he thinks.
I’m really not afraid of him,
unless he starts to drink.

There must be
something wrong with me—
that’s why he complains.
I know he loves me.
How could he find
pleasure in my pain?
I know he loves me.
How could he find
pleasure in my pain?

Some days it seems like everything I say or do is wrong.
I try to keep things quiet,
and I try to get along.
But every time he needs to win, he makes sure that I lose.
I give him what he wants.
It’s so much worse if I refuse.
I make excuses for him,
but I live my life in chains.
And I’m starting to suspect
he must find pleasure in my pain.
I’m starting to suspect
he must find pleasure in my pain.

I work to make him happy,
but it’s to no avail,
For he works even harder to make certain that I fail.
I’m ready to admit
I might be better off alone,
But does that really matter
when my children need a home?My family says I shouldn’t leave, but how can I remain?
Now I know that he’s addicted to the pleasure of my pain.
I know that he’s addicted to the pleasure of my pain.

I’ve found a safe place we can go. I know what I must do.
I’ve set aside some money,
and my friends will help me, too.
He always told me if I left him
I would not survive,
But now the kids are older,
I know somehow we'll get by.
Then he won’t hurt me anymore and I won’t be ashamed.
For no one has a right
to the pleasure of my pain.
No one has a right
to the pleasure of my pain.
No one has a right
No one has a right
No one.