BORN TO SUFFER (Gabe Zander/BMI) 2000

(slow ballad beat)

   C           Am                   F            C
If I get hit upside the head, don't ask if I'm alright,
           F                                G
'Cause you know I'll be fine tomorrow, if I sleep it off tonight.
C                   Am               F          C
Numbing the pain is something only I myself can do;
           F                                  G                C
Though I appreciate the thought, I just can't use no help from you.
      C                  Am                F             C
If my hand breaks on the job, I'll be back workin' in an hour;
          F                                        G        
I'll just lighten up the lifting, then go home and soak it in the shower.
      C                    Am                  F                    C
Yeah, sometimes life get's hard to bear, but I know there's reasons why;
            F                                        G               C
'Cause it's here on Earth we're tested; we get the results up in the sky.

(chorus):
              F                                     C
I just tell myself I'm born to suffer; that's how I combat life's abuse;
          F                              G
'Cause If lessons I ain't learning, then livin' ain't no use.
     C              Am                 F               C
From broken legs to broken hearts, the pain is all too real,
      F                               G               C
But I press on, for a fighter's gotta have a heart of steel.

(break)

I don't have no companion; no one lies with me at night,
But for all the hearts I've broken, I guess it only serves me right.
Back when I was young and foolish, I couldn't quit while I was ahead;
Always wanting something better, I gave up all the best.
Well, I've learned that one good woman's love is nothing to forsake,
'Cause now the emptiness hurts worse than any punch I've ever had to take.
But with every day spent lonely, I become a stronger man;
I just tell myself I'm born to suffer, and take them blows the best I can.

(chorus)
(break)

From threats, I've kept on walkin' but I've never run away;
I've faught and won, and faught and lost, and faught again the next day.
And still I walk proud, despite the broken noses and black eyes;
Since battle's how I live my life, battle's how I hope to die.
If a bullet clips my head, I'll just lie down and go to sleep,
So don't shed no tears o'er my grave, 'cause I won't be one who'll weep.
It wouldn't do no good; just be a guilt trip if you cried,
'Cause I won't be there to do the same when it comes your turn to die.

(chorus)