[Verse 1: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
Once I thought that love was a toy
(For girls and boys)
I never gave my heart, I just played the part
(Right from the start)
Then there was you, sweet you
With love that I knew, I knew was true
But in my pride, I left you, baby
Just hanging on, now love is gone

[Pre-Chorus: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
(Now I know) Now I know, baby
What I was too, too slow to learn
(Now I know) Woo, now I know
Now I'm all alone and my heart is yearning

[Chorus: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
Only a lonely man would know
Only a lonely man would know
The bitter tears I've cried since I've lost you
Since you said goodbye
(Ask a lonely man)
Only a lonely, lonely man would know, honey
The pain inside of me since I let my pride make a fool of me
(Ask a lonely man)
[Verse 2: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
Ask any lonely man you see, yeah
Ooh, ask any lonely man like me, yeah
Foolishly, girl, I broke your heart (Now we're apart)
Now in my lonely room I just reminisce (Long for your kiss)
Now through my lonely tears, I can see ahead long lonely years
Without your love, my world, my world's at an end
Black's closing in

[Pre-Chorus: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
You don't know, honey, how much I need you, baby
Woo, you don't know how sorry I am that I failed to keep you, baby

[Chorus: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
Only a lonely, only a lonely, lonely man would know
Bitter tears I've cried since I've lost you
Since you said goodbye
(Ask a lonely man)
Only a lonely, only a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely man would know
The pain inside me since I've let my pride make a fool of me
(Ask a lonely man)

[Outro: David Ruffin & The Temptations]
Ask any lonely man you see, yeah baby
Ooh, honey, honey, just ask any lonely man like me, yeah
Ask him, baby
Only a lonely man would know
Only a lonely man would know, baby
Only a lonely man would know
Bitter tears I've cried since I've lost you
Since you said goodbye
Ask a lonely man
Ask him, baby
Only a lonely man would know
Ask any lonely man would know
The bitter pain inside of me since I let my pride make a fool of me
Ask a lonely man
Only a lonely man would know