Take A Letter, Maria - LP Version
Take A Letter Maria
R.B. Greaves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴Last night, as I got home about a half past ten
There was the woman I thought I knew
In the arms of another man
I kept my cool, I ain't no fool
Let me tell ya what happened then
I packed some clothes and I walked out
And I ain't goin' back again
So, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life
You've been many things, but most of all a good secretary to me
And it's times like this, I feel you've always been close to me
Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
All work and no play has just cost me a wife
So, take a letter, Maria, no, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
It just so happens I'm free tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Well, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
Well, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life, mm
Take a letter, Maria
Overall Meaning
"Take a Letter Maria" is a soulful song about a man who comes home to find his wife cheating on him with another man. The song is sung from the point of view of the man who has decided to leave his wife because of the betrayal. He talks to his secretary Maria and asks her to write a letter to his wife and to send a copy to his lawyer informing them that he won't be coming back and that he is starting a new life.
The lyrics depict the man's feelings of disappointment and hurt over his wife's infidelity. He questions whether it was wrong of him to work long hours and never make time for his wife. He also reflects on Maria's loyalty to him and how he has always confided in her. The line "Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life, all work and no play has just cost me a wife" highlights how the man feels that his dedication to work might have cost him his marriage.
Towards the end of the song, the man hints at starting a new relationship with Maria, showing how his feelings have changed towards her. Overall, the song conveys the pain of betrayal and the need to move on and start afresh.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night, as I got home about a half past ten
I came home late last night at around 10:30 pm
There was the woman I thought I knew
My wife was with another man
In the arms of another man
She was being affectionate with the other man
I kept my cool, I ain't no fool
I remained calm and rational instead of being naive or foolish
Let me tell ya what happened then
I'll explain to you what occurred next
I packed some clothes and I walked out
I gathered some of my belongings and left
And I ain't goin' back again
I have no intention of returning
So, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Maria, please write a letter to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Let her know that I'm not coming home and that I need to begin a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Once again, write a letter to my wife, Maria
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life
Also, send a copy to my lawyer because I need to start fresh
You've been many things, but most of all a good secretary to me
Maria, you've fulfilled many roles for me, but most importantly, you've been a great secretary
And it's times like this, I feel you've always been close to me
In moments like these, I realize that we've always had a close relationship
Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
I wonder if my decision to work nights to provide a better life was a mistake
All work and no play has just cost me a wife
Not having a balance between work and personal life has led to the loss of my marriage
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understand
It's difficult to comprehend why a woman would cheat on a man who loves her
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
It's shocking that she would enjoy being with another man more than me
I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
I never appreciated how kind and thoughtful you've been towards me
It just so happens I'm free tonight
Coincidentally, I'm available tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Would you be willing to go out to eat with me?
Well, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Once again, Maria, please write a letter to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Let her know that I'm not returning home and need to make a fresh start
Oh, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Again, write a letter to my wife, Maria
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
Also, send a copy to my lawyer because I need to move on and start anew
Well, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
One more time, Maria, please write a letter to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life, mm
Let her know that I won't come back and need to begin a new chapter in my life
Take a letter, Maria
Instructing Maria to write a letter
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald Bertram Greaves
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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