The song "If I Had Left It Up To You" by Merle Haggard is about a relationship that has gone through a lot of problems and struggles. The narrator of the song is reflecting on the times where his partner had expressed a desire to leave and end the relationship, but he had begged her to stay. He realizes that if he had left the decision up to her, they would have ended things a long time ago. However, despite all of the difficulties they've faced, the narrator is still holding onto the relationship and is afraid of being alone. He knows that if he had let her go, he would be spending his nights alone, and he wishes he could find the strength to move on and let her go. Overall, the song is about the challenges of holding onto a relationship that may not be working, and the fear of being alone that can make it difficult to make the right decision. The lyrics have a melancholic tone that highlights the regrets of the narrator and the difficult choices they face in their relationship.
