I am not a wise man
Neither am I a fool
I'm what I am
The way the good Lord made me

Though I want you more
Than you may ever understand
I can't wear a face
That will betray me

So if you're gonna love me
Love the life I lead
Need the things I need
Don't try to change me
(Change me, change me)

If you're gonna take me
Take me for what I am
I can't be another man
I can't be free

From the life I lead
(From the life I lead)
From the life I lead
(From the life I lead)

Money in my pockets
Never seems to last too long
I've gambled on the way
And drowned my sorrows

And though God knows
I can't pretend
It's better on my own
I can't promise you a new tomorrow

So if you're gonna love me
Love the life I lead
Need the things I need
Don't try to change me
(Change me, change me)

If you're gonna take me
Take me for what I am
I can't be another man
And I can't be free

From the life I lead
(From the life I lead)
From the life I lead
(From the life I lead)

You know
I really think we could make it
But there's just one thing, one thing
That you've got to understand

Oh, oh, oh, oh
If you're gonna love me
Love the life I lead
Need the things I need
Don't try to change me
(Change me, change me)

Oh, if you're gonna take me
Take me for what I am
I can't be another man
And I can't be free

From the life I lead
(From the life I lead)
From the life I lead
(From the life I lead)

Oh, if you're gonna love me
Love the life I lead
Need the things I need
Don't try to change me
(Change me, change me)

If you're gonna take me
Take me for what I am