I keep my fist raised up full time against the world
Sometimes with the family and sometimes with a girl
Yeah, you think I've learned 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 God takes care of fools
I broke a lotta hearts and I broke a lotta rules
Yet somehow I survived with a bit of dummy luck
But I could 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 think I've learned 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 think I've learned 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 think I've learned my lesson, I'm a man who's been around
But I could never keep that middle finger down
I could never keep (no), I could never keep (no)
I could never keep my life from burning to the ground
You think I've learned my lesson, I'm a man who's been around
But I could never keep that middle finger down