My mama told me lots of things,
About the life we lead.
Told me it was too easy,
To live a life of greed,
She said you be a good man,
And I'll be proud of you,
'Cos you can do no better,
If thats all you learn to do.

(First chorus)
All we got is one short life,
Far as we can find,
And if you don't know how to live,
The world will be unkind.

No, no curse upon my name,
No way I look at a bad guy,
And think that I'm the same,
No, I won't be blamed,
I live without dishonour,
I won't have to die ashamed.

Old lady told me plenty,
Told me what to do,
How to act in society,
How to make it through,
She said always mind your manners,
And don't you talk no trash,
And if you hear somebody dissing you,
Go over and kick his ass.

(Second chorus)
One thing is for certain,
By all we know and love,
If you compromise your integrity,
You should drown in your own blood.

No, no curse upon my name,
No way I look at a bad guy,
And think that I'm the same,
No, I won't be blamed,
You live without dishonour,
you don't have to die ashamed.

So even though I'm old and weird,
I remember what she said,
I always knew that she was right,
So I kept it in my head,
I never tried to hurt the world,
I never was drove by greed,
Believe I mostly did my best,
What more do you want from me?

(Third chorus)
All there is is one short life,
Far as we can find,
And if you don't know how to live,
You're gonna lose your mind.

No, no dirt upon my name,
No way I look at a bad guy,
And think I share the blame,
No, I'm not the same,
As I live and die, I swear that I,
Refuse to die ashamed