[Verse 1] I woke up mean in a cheap motel With a busted lamp and a stain on the wall You said, "Boy, keep what you can in line" If you're gonna stand, then stand real tall Keep your gun oiled and your spit in a bucket (keep your gun oiled) Don't let the dust take root in your hands Some roads pay hard, some roads pay nothin' You learn that fast in this hard land [Pre-Chorus] I seen pride break men like glass I seen fear ride in on a freight train fast So I check my coat, I check my nerve I keep my word where it can be heard [Chorus] Keep your gun oiled And your spit in a bucket Keep your gun oiled When the whole world runs roughshod Keep your gun oiled And your chin up, honey Keep your gun oiled When the night gets mean and ugly [Verse 2] Mama said, "Son, don't beg for mercy" Not from a room full of hungry wolves If you want peace, you better earn it With callused hands and a steady pull There's a scar on the door, a crack in the glass And a dog out back with a sorry howl But I sleep just fine with my boots still on 'Cause trouble don't wait, and I don't bow [Pre-Chorus] I seen pride break men like glass I seen fear ride in on a freight train fast So I check my coat, I check my nerve I keep my word where it can be heard [Chorus] Keep your gun oiled And your spit in a bucket Keep your gun oiled When the whole world runs roughshod Keep your gun oiled And your chin up, honey Keep your gun oiled When the night gets mean and ugly [Bridge] If the river takes the bridge down low I'll cross that mud with a steady soul If the devil knocks, I won't invite him in I got one clean shot and a will to win [Final Chorus] Keep your gun oiled And your spit in a bucket Keep your gun oiled When the whole world runs roughshod Keep your gun oiled And your chin up, honey Keep your gun oiled When the night gets mean and ugly
