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 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 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