[Verse 1: low, rough, conversational] I've said things I wish I'd kept behind my teeth Been wrong and took too damn long admitting it was me I've let my temper get the better of my sense And I've paid for some decisions more than once But I've never needed somebody watching me To stop and help a stranger who was on his knees I ain't telling that to make myself look right That's just the kind of man I've tried to be in this life [Verse 2: restrained, more weight in the vocal] Most days I'm pretty easy, let a lot of bullshit slide I'd rather shake your hand than give you reason for a fight But put your hands on someone who can't stand up for themselves There's a part of me that doesn't ask permission from the rest I know that part is in me I don't brag about it much The same hands that'll help you up Can turn into a fist Maybe that don't make much sense Hell, neither do I I'm just telling You the truth In case You're listening tonight [Chorus: voice opens up, guitar stays bare] I never lived like Heaven owed me a place Never wore Your name just to clean up mine I messed up plenty I got plenty wrong But I gave when I could And I loved people hard If there's really a day When it's You and me And everything I've done is there for You to see I won't tell You I deserve the other side I just hope You look at me And know I tried [Verse 3: quieter, almost uncomfortable to admit] I want to believe You That's the hardest thing to say 'Cause I've watched some good people get handed hell anyway I've seen prayers go unanswered Seen the worst ones walk away While somebody who deserved another year Didn't get another day So I won't start praying Just because I'm scared to die That'd be me using You And we both know that's a lie If You're there, You know the questions I've been carrying around I hope doubt ain't the same as turning You down [Chorus: rougher, more exposed] I never lived like Heaven owed me a place Never wore Your name just to clean up mine I messed up plenty I got plenty wrong But I gave when I could And I loved people hard If there's really a day When it's You and me And everything I've done is there for You to see I won't tell You I deserve the other side I just hope You look at me And know I tried [Bridge: guitar nearly disappears, vocal alone] I was good when nobody knew it I was wrong when everybody did I've swallowed pride I've held a grudge I've forgiven things I shouldn't I've given people one more chance Then learned when I was done I've been gentle I've been angry I've been both in the same damn minute If You made me Then You know exactly What You put in me [Final Chorus: start controlled, progressively breaking open] So I won't live like Heaven owes me a place And I won't say Your name just to save my hide You know every ugly thing I've done You know every bit of good You know who I stood beside You know who I couldn't And if I finally meet You I won't have some big defense No Bible verse I memorized When I knew I reached the end I'll stand there as the man I was Nothing more Nothing less [Final lines: guitar stops, fully exposed vocal] I won't ask You to call me righteous I won't ask You to call me right Just look at the whole damn man And know I tried.
