That's Not The Part Of Him You're Leaving

I have a friend She's just a friend I tried to comfort and defend I gave her what you might call advice But nothing like that comes without a price The rumor was a cruel surprise And she dissolved before my eyes I offered my hand and hers and mine entwined I thought about back then when I wished that she had been mine There's no use in shedding any tears He's no good to you the way he is He's beyond forgiving and believing Half of his heart is torn like paper It's sweet as the syrup from the maple But that's not the part of him you're leaving In time they're bound to wonder why It's just a thrill you can't deny I offered my shoulder right away Now people will talk about what I can't say And yet the whispers still persist They're getting harder to resist How am I supposed to stop loving you now I've begun? And I'm sorry for what I might do more than what I have done There's no use in shedding any tears He's no good to you the way he is He's beyond forgiving and believing Half of his heart is filled with pain That's sweet as a lick of sugarcane But that's not the part of him you're leaving Love is a many splintered thing That only cuts roses and ribbons that cling But that's not the part of him you're leaving --- That's Not the Part of Him You're Leaving - Elvis Costello