Mama told me Daddy ran away with the circus
I guess it musta been the greatest show on earth
Preacher told me hell's full of them that deserve it
Good news and bad, son, which one you want first

Sometimes you're the hammer
Sometimes you're the nail
Like my Daddy before me
This is where the apple fell
Beatin' the odds and comin' up roses
Ain't my story to tell
The whole world swings the hammer
And I'm the nail

Trouble seems to find me like it ain't even trying
Eye in the sky got my name in a file
Cop said, "Son, what the hell are you thinkin'?"
Judge said, "Boy, you're goin away for a while"

Sometimes you're the hammer
Sometimes you're the nail
Like my Daddy before me
This is where the apple fell
Beatin' the odds and comin' up roses
Ain't my story to tell
The whole world swings the hammer
And I'm the nail

Sometimes you're the hammer
Sometimes you're the nail
Like my Daddy before me
This is where the apple fell
Beatin' the odds and comin' up roses
Ain't my story to tell
The whole world swings the hammer
And I'm the nail