Story Behind The Song

I saw a couple at a gas station and they were arguing. They were both "unkept" and he had a six pack under his arm. That is where I got the idea for the song.

Song Description

The wife in the song is afraid and has been taking the abuse, both physical and emotioal, for a long time. It is now to the point where it is affecting the children so much that she needs to find a way out....mainly, the strength to leave. When she finally finds the strength, here husband will not let here go ,for he is drunk, and she shoots him in fear.

Lyrics

Where's the man I married?
Where did the pain come from?
You can't admit you have this problem and sometimes I blame myself
'Cuz on occasion you'd drink and then fall asleep
It's something I didn't think much of

(Chorus)
You've got you hands in the air, a whiskey over there, and you don't even have a clue
Of what you're doing to me or our family
The kids are in the other room
And I don't even know what mood you'll be in when you come home from work today
Do I prepare for another beating or just emotional abuse?

(Verse)
I found out your father had it too
He was gone before we met and that's why I never knew
You never told me all about the hidden pain
Now you're acting the same way
Your little boy is scared

(Chorus)
And now your hands in the air, a whiskey over there, and you don't even have a clue
Of what you're doing to me or our family
The kids are in the other room
And I don't even know what mood you'll be in when you come home from work today
Do I prepare for another beating or just emotional abuse?

(Bridge)
I packed the bags today (and tears stopped falling dowm)
I knew I had the strength to leave (It was time)
The kids were ready to leave (they are afraid of you)
You need to change
You're on your own now
But you wouldn't let me go

(Chorus)
And now my hands are in the air, a whiskey's over there and I know what I have to do
It's all up to me to save this family
The gun is in the other room
And I don't have to worry 'bout you coming home from work today
There'll be no more beating and finally no more putting up with you

You see we crossed the border a few hours later to start a new life we deserved
Our names have been changed but we're not the same
We still think of you (we remember)

(Chorus)
Your hands in the air, a whiskey over there and you didn't even have a clue
Yeh you had NO CLUE
You've got NO CLUE
You had NO CLUE