[Verse 1]
Well late last night as I got home
Home about half past ten
There was a woman I thought I knew
In the arms of another man
I kept my cool, I ain't no fool
Let me tell you what happened then
I packed some clothes and I walked out
And I ain't a-goin' back again

[Chorus]
So take a letter, Maria
Address it to my wife
Say I won't be comin' home
Gotta start a new life
So take a letter, Maria
Address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer
Gotta start a new life

[Verse 2]
Hey, you've been many things, but most of all
A good secrеtary to me
And it's times like this I feel
You'vе always been close to me
Was I wrong to work nights
To try to build a good life
It's seem that all work and no play
Has just cost me a wife
[Chorus]
So take a letter, Maria
Address it to my wife
Say I won't be comin' home
I gotta start a new life
So take a letter, Maria
Address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer
I'm gonna start a new life

[Verse 3]
When a man loves a woman that way
It's simply hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure
In the arms of another man
Well, I never really noticed
How sweet you are to me
And it just so happens I'm free tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me

[Chorus]
Hey, take a letter, Maria
Address it to my wife
Say I won't be comin' home
I gotta start a new life
Yeah, take a letter, Maria
Address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer
Drop a copy to my lawyer
Ship a copy to my lawyer
I'm gonna start a new life