I'd rather go on

Elvis Presley's song Are You Lonesome Tonight contains a long spoken part where he says:

'Honey, you lied when you said you loved me
And I had no cause to doubt you.
But I'd rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you.'

I know song lyrics don't always conform to grammatical rules and that easily explains the to go on living. I would just like to know if native speakers would perhaps use the to-particle in similar situations in everyday conversation as well.

Thank you for your answers.

PS:  Frank Sinatra sings on one of his recordings: "... what makes that rain to fall..."
Maybe American singers should take some lessons in grammar?

Cheers
CB

Sinatra's use of "to fall" is just an example of an older form. Poetic indeed. No need for grammar lessons there.

<For example, would you say something like this:

I would rather see him in person than to send him a card.>

Nope.

It's a mix up. It could be "I'd prefer to ___ than (to) _____. " or what you have suggested above.

I would quite happily say the to in that context although I'm not sure I always use the to.  With or without both seem completely acceptable to me.

I would rather see him in prison than to send him a card. 

CJ