I keep my fist raised up

Full-time against the world

Sometimes for the family

And sometimes for the girl

Yeah, you'd think I'd learn my lesson

I'm a man who's been around

But I could never keep

That middle finger down

Well I'm still hanging on

And I think that God takes care of fools

I've broke a lot of hearts, and I've broke a lot of rules

Yet somehow I survived with a bit of dummy luck

But I can never keep that finger from sticking up

I could never keep, I could never keep

I could never keep my life from burning to the ground

You'd think I'd learn my lesson

I'm a man who's been around

But I could never keep that middle finger down

I'm a grudge-holding jerk

Who starts feuds with a wink

A sharp-tongued S.O.B

Who speaks before he thinks

I've learned from my losses

And I know when I'm wrong

Still, my life's sadder

Than an old country song

I could never keep, I could never keep

I could never keep my life from burning to the ground

You'd think I'd learn my lesson

I'm a man who's been around

But I could never keep that middle finger down

So if you looked at my life

If you took a little peek

You'd say, “Good Lord, let it go, man

Just turn the other cheek”

I don't know how to let it go

I just don't know how to behave

I was born with this affliction

And I'll take it to the grave

I could never keep, I could never keep

I could never keep my life from burning to the ground

You'd think I'd learn my lesson

I'm a man who's been around

But I could never keep that middle finger down

I could never keep, I could never keep

I could never keep my life from burning to the ground

You'd think I'd learn my lesson

I'm a man who's been around

But I could never keep that middle finger down