Born with nothing but your mama’s blue eyes 
And your daddy’s mood-swings that you always despised 
No-one could tell how you’d pass through the years 
But you’re wise and you’re kind, you’re brave and you’re here 
It takes but a minute to know what you want 
It may take a lifetime to know who you are 
The secret is reading all the right words 
And learning to live with the cracks and the scars 

So you made it out alive 
Now you can hold your head up high 
Yeah you made it out alive 
Now you can walk the streets with pride 
Don’t need a pocketful of gold to take the open road 
Don’t need a pocketful of gold 
To win somebody’s heart and somebody’s soul 

Fighting the fascists, the priests and the cops 
Fighting and fighting, the fight never stops 
But no-one can see when you hang up your gloves 
That all of your fighting is driven by love 
And you’re loving your lovers, your songs and your friends 
Loving and loving, the love never ends 
But no-one can see in the fullness of light 
That all of your loving is part of the fight 

The drinking might kill you, the thinking might too 
The loneliness cuts like a cold wind in June 
They don’t give a fuck if we’re down on our luck 
And that’s why I’m proud to be born to ruin 
Living and dying it’s all the same deal 
But your mama’s blue eyes keep turning the wheel 
And daddy’s mood-swings will pass through the years 
On the carousel of time, through the blood, sweat and tears