Down at the depot I'm known as a bruiser

Sometimes I make a show of my strength

I guess I talk hard like a bitter old boozer

And describe my upbringing at length

It's true I was raised in a shed in a back-yard

And fought like a rat for my share

But with nine or ten brothers the living was damn hard

I got some good memories there.

When father was sober he was quiet and thoughtful

But drunk he seemed to lose all control

He'd smash up the house that he'd laboured and fought for

And give away the things that he stole

He'd beat up my mother and she'd leave just to spite him

He'd stay sober until she came back

If you hadn't found me I'd have probably been like him

But you put a stop to all that.

Chorus:

With your loving ways

You came and you set me free

With your loving ways

You bring out the good side in me.

Now I've known some women but not nearly as many

As the boys at the depot might think

They've no idea of the nights I was lonely

Or even of how much I drink

I let them believe and I guess they suspect

That you're merely a slave to my charms

But the more that you love me the weaker I get

'til I'm just like a babe in your arms.

Chorus:

With your loving ways

You came and you set me free

With your loving ways

You bring out the good side in me.