Rodney Crowell Past Like A Mask lyrics

I was told to be a man was build defences strong
Keep your woman in her place and she'll keep hangin' on
Now I've grown to realise my life's been filled with lies
A tread I've been hangin' on has broken in her eyes
If I could let my heart be known in spite walls so high
I might taste those bitter tears that I've never learned to cry

[Chorus 1:]
But I've got a paast like a mask
And I can see it in her face, the many years I can't erase
A broken heart I can't replace in spite of what I try
But I've got a pa-ast like a mask
And I sure took my time to understand

When I was young, not long ago, I hid my feelings well
Sometimes I let my heartaches show but I could never tell

And now I find I've been blind, insensitive and vain
Cause someone told me long ago "ignore a woman's pain"
If I could change the fool I've been, I know just what'd do
I'd give her everything I can and make all her dreams come true

[Chorus 2:]
But I've got a past like a mask
And I can see it in her eyes, the lonely nights, the endless lies
The countless time I made her cry when she was by my side
And I've got a past like a mask
And I sure took my time to understand

[Chorus 1]