James, I got your letter
It came to me today
You said I could have my baby back
But I don't want her that way
So you keep her, you keep her
Because, man, she belongs to you

She didn't make up her own mind
To come on home to me
So, I found me someone else
And we're happy as can be
So you keep her, you keep her
Because now, she belongs to you

But you can tell her I said hello, James
And remember to always be your lady
'Cause you see, when she was with me, James
I taught her that a lady stays in a lady's place
And I was the one who taught her
Esther, didn't I teach her how to make up her face?

I taught her how to pick the clothes
And the jewelry to wear
And I was the one who taught her
How to style her hair
My, my, my, she left me
After I taught her these things

Now, she didn't make up her own mind, James
To come on home to me
So, I found me someone else
And we're happy as can be
So you keep her, you keep her
Because now, she belongs to you