[Verse 1]
Mmm, 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 a love that I knew, I knew was true
But in my pride, I left you, baby
Oh, just hanging on, now love is gone

[Chorus]
Oh, only a lonely man would know
The bitter tears I've cried since I lost you, darling
Since you said goodbye
Only a lonely man would know
The hurt inside of me
(Only a lonely man would know)
Since I let my pride make a fool of me

[Refrain]
Ask any lonely man you see, darling
(Ask him, baby; ask him, baby)
Walk up and ask any lonely man like me, baby
(Ask him, baby; ask him, baby)

[Verse 2]
Ooh, foolishly, girl, I broke your heart
Now we're apart
Now, in my lonely room, I just reminisce
Long for your kiss
And 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
Now, I know, oh, what I was too slow in learning
Oh, now I know
Now that I'm all alone, my heart is yearning
[Chorus]
Oh, only a lonely man would know
The bitter tears I've cried since I lost you, darling
Since you said goodbye

[Refrain]
Ask any lonely man you see, baby
(Ask him, baby; ask him, baby)
Go on and ask him, baby

[Outro]
(Only a lonely man would know)
Only a lonely man would know
The bitter tears I've cried since I lost you, darling
Since you said goodbye, woo
(Only a lonely man would know)
Oh, the hurt inside of me
(Only a lonely man would know)
Since I—