[Intro] [percussive acoustic guitar strumming with palm mutes] [Spoken] I'm a man of peace, I'm not a man of war! [Verse 1] [gritty male vocals] Never defy me and you will find me The best of friends, don't make me beat you down We'll get along as long as you sing the songs That I teach you, don't make me beat you down I'll give you the carrot or you'll take the stick It's your pick, don't make me beat you down Just do it my way or there'll be hell to pay Nothing left to say, I don't want to beat you down I'll say it once more, I'm not a man of war You must believe me or I will beat you down I'll say it again, there's no way you can win You must appease me or I will beat you down [Chorus] [vocals become more melodic and sustained] Why do you make this so hard? [guitar strumming intensifies] Why do you follow your heart? Just let go of who you are And you will finally be free If you would only listen to me [Verse 2] [palm-muted rhythmic strumming returns] Why do you persist in trying to resist? I hate to insist, I'll have to beat you down You'll never be free so you might as well agree To bend the knee, don't make me beat you down [Chorus] Why do you make this so hard? Why must you follow your heart? Just let go of who you are And you'll finally be free If you will listen to me [Outro] I said it before, I'm not a man of war You must believe me or I will beat you down I'll say it again, there's no way you can win You must appease me or I will beat you down [vocal belt] Down I will beat you down [final acoustic guitar chord rings out]
