[Verse 1]
Ain’t life a heavy burden when you can't get a word in
Nobody knows you're hurtin', you're an invisible man
Nobody talkin' to you, everybody lookin' straight through you
Everybody tryin' to screw you, they don't give a damn
No, they don't give a damn

[Verse 2]
Don't try pushin' me around 'cause I'm gonna stand my ground
I ain't no lost and found, I could be your worst enemy
Everybody chimin' in and nobody listening
Everybody know everything, ever to need, ever to need
Don't tread on me

[Chorus]
(Don't tread) I've got to sting like poison ivy
(Don't tread on me) I can crawl back
(Don't tread) And I've got a long memory
(Don't tread on me) With my back against the wall
(Don't tread) I can beat you all
(Don't tread on me) Ain't treading on you, so don't tread on me

[Verse 3]
I ain't lookin' for charity and I sure ain't lookin' for sympathy
Just lookin' for a chance to be somebody, somebody, hey
I ain't no nickel and dime, maybe I've fallen out of time but
Poverty ain't no crime, respect is the key
Respect is the key, respect is the key
Respect is the key, don't tread on me
[Chorus]
(Don't tread) I've got to sting like poison ivy
(Don't tread on me) I can crawl back
(Don't tread) 'Cause I've got a long memory
(Don't tread on me) With my back against the wall
(Don't tread) No, I could beat you all
(Don't tread on me) Ain't treading on you, so don't tread on me
Don't tread on me

[Chorus]
(Don't tread) I've got to sting like poison ivy
(Don't tread on me) I can crawl back
(Don't tread) 'Cause I've got a long memory
(Don't tread on me) With my back against the wall
(Don't tread) Oh, I could beat you all
(Don't tread on me) I ain't treading on you, so don't tread on me

[Outro]
Don't tread on me
Don't tread on me
Don't tread on me
Don't tread on me
Don't tread on me
Don't tread on me
Don't tread on me
Don't you tread on me