This badger clinging on my back Is the strangest coach I’ve ever had It simply will not let me be Sulking in a misery When I try to say the world is pretty unfair He whispers in my ear: I wouldn’t go there He simply will not let me be Sulking in a misery See in the ring you’ll find It’s the fight for your life A choice to make a fist Or lay down on the side Lines, either in or down Your bell will make its sound With a limit on the time To decide His claws are digging in my back Using thoughts I wish I never had It simply will not let me be Buried by the misery When I want to be alone to cover my head To hide inside the blanket of a warm bed He simply will not let me be Buried by the misery See in the ring you’ll find It’s the fight for your life A choice to make a fist Or lay down on the side Lines, either in or down Your bell will make its sound With a limit on the time To decide See bristles scratching in my shirt Has kept me from lying in the dirt An itch that never seems to leave Distracts me from the misery He’s keeping me from sinking in the dark clouds The height that I could fall would break my legs now He simply will not let me be Soaking in a misery See in the ring you’ll find It’s the fight for your life A choice to make a fist Or lay down on the side Lines, either in or down Your bell will make its sound With a limit on the time To decide This badger hanging on my back Never lends me any slack He simply will not let me rub The hands of the misery I love When I want to be a burden to my own soul He reminds me of my youth, or when I had goals He simply will not let me be (let me be) Caged inside a misery See in the ring you’ll find It’s the fight for your life A choice to make a fist Or lay down on the side Lines, either in or down (or down) Your bell will make its sound (it'll make it) With a limit on the time To decide Yeah, but whatever