Well I'll tell you the truth
As I only do, my friend
I'll be living my youth
As I live 'til my end, my friend
I've been battered and bruised
But it's only a few that have stayed or left
And that's nothing a hammer
A nail or my mind couldn't cure
But I've left people hang
On a stick or a word
If their grip grew tight
All the bottles the battles
The beds that I've shared they're all mine

But the more you hold on to me
The less you can have of me
The more you hold on to me
The less I am yours to keep

Well I'll tell you the truth
If that's what you want, my friend
Sometimes being a friend
Is not saying a word, my friend
I've been shattered and shoved
And I shattered and shoved
But my mind is clear
And I've chosen my women, my men
And I've chosen my fears
But I've loved you with the marrow
That fills up my bones and I always will
If you are with me or not
All depends if you hold me too near

But the more you hold on to me
The less you can have of me
The more you hold on to me
The less I am yours to keep

The more you hold on to me
The less I am yours to keep
The more you hold on to me
The less I am yours or me

There are devils inside
That I'm not afraid to meet
There are devils outside
But I'm not ashamed to be

But the more you hold on to me
Yeah, the more you hold on to me
I'll try not to leave