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