You gave me the world when I was 12 years old
I learned to carry that load
All I asked in return, Lord, was not a long and winding road
Took some teasin' when I was young you know them kids
They threw sticks and stones, I had to learn to bite my tongue
Cause you said they could never know

Chorus:
Sometimes I wanna smoke and play, you know I wanna stay out all night
I get tempted and I get tired of being and doing everything right
Well, life's not about the way you live, it's what you know to be right
So just keep on crying, learning and trying to love one another
In spite of spite, to love one another in spite of spite

We should've told them the truth by now, Lord, they won't believe my ways
I'm just man, I have my ups and downs, I have my share of bad days
But, I ain't friends with Billy Graham, and you can't find me on the telephone
You probably don't recognize me, people, I ain't on them damn TV shows

Chorus:
Sometimes I wanna smoke and play, you know I wanna stay out all night
I get tempted and I get tired of being and doing everything right
Well, life's not about the way you live, it's what you know to be right
So just keep on crying, learning and trying to love one another
In spite of spite, to love one another in spite of spite