[Verse 1]
Last night as I came home about half past ten
There was the woman I thought I knew in the arms of another man
I kept my cool, ain't no fool, let me tell you what happened then
I packed some things and I walked out and I ain't coming back again

[Verse 2]
You've been lots of 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
I've been working alone every night to try to make a good life
But 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 coming home, I'm gonna start a new life
Yeah, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, I gotta start a new life

[Bridge]
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man

[Chorus]
Take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, I'm gonna start a new life
Take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, I gotta start a new life