you did everything you could
you had to go away from your home
i never realized when i was a kid
how alone, how alone
yeah well back in your neighborhood
they knew you when you blew through town
behind your back they were putting you down

they had
rules for this
rules for that
rule on top of rule
broke your back

once upon a time i was holding your hand
a lady off the street came up
she said hey mister i need some money
you can't give enough
i'll never forget the look in your eye
as you dug into your pocket to give
that look of love gave me a reason to live

there are
rules for this
rules for that
if you put rule on top of rule
you can break someone's back

break the rules

just the other day i was breaking a rule
my whole self was ashamed
i thought the sky would open and cry
thunder and rain
yeah well there are many reasons
i don't feel so good
i'd forgive if i could

but i got
rules for this
rules for that
rule on top of rule
to break my back

break the rules
break the rules