[Verse 1]
Godspeed little sinner
Dragged me to church to eat Jesus Christ
I can be a little pessimistic
I can be a little critical sometimes
Can't sleep so you whisper
Now I see through all those little lies
But I didn't know better
But now I get it
I'm sorry that I made you cry

[Pre-Chorus]
Those times the cops came by
Mama tried
(Mama tried)

[Chorus]
They fuck you up, your parents do
They may not mean to but they do
They may not mean to but they do
So, they fuck you up, your parents do
They may not mean to but they do
They may not mean to but they do

[Verse 2]
Didn't raise no quitter
I'm still hooked and I think it'll kill me too
Caught myself in the mirror
And for a second I'd swear that it was you
Saw me miss a sitter
Didn't miss one game the entire time
Didn't care about the winner
Doesn't matter as long as you've got your pride
[Pre-Chorus]
And though we'd fight
I know they were right
They were right

[Chorus]
They fuck you up, your parents do
They may not mean to but they do
They may not mean to but they do
So, they fuck you up, your parents do
Do as I say, not as I do
"When I was your age, I was just like you"

[Bridge]
So, did they love too much?
Or was it not enough?
You know they're not to blame
Because we're all fucked up
Those kids will be the death of you
They were so sweet but then they grew
But now they're fucked up just like you
Go!

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus]
They fuck you up, your parents do
(They fuck you up, they fuck you up)
They may not mean to but they do
They may not mean to but they do
So, they fuck you up, your parents do
(They fuck you up, they fuck you up)
“I love you son”
“Yeah, I love you too”
When I grow up, yeah, I'll be just like you