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 SOB
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