The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You can call me a sinner
Or you can call me a saint
Celebrate me for who I am
Dislike me for what I ain't
Put me up on a pedestal
Or drag me down in the dirt
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But your names will never hurt
I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruits
Is yours to take
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no
Cleopatra had her way
Mata Hari too
Whether they were good or bad
Is strictly up to you
Life is a paradox
And it doesn't make much sense
Can't have the femme without the fatale
Please don't take offense
Don't let the fruit rot
Under the vine
Fill up your cup
And let's drink the wine
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruit
Is yours to take
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
Or you can call me a saint
Celebrate me for who I am
Dislike me for what I ain't
Put me up on a pedestal
Or drag me down in the dirt
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But your names will never hurt
I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruits
Is yours to take
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no
Cleopatra had her way
Mata Hari too
Whether they were good or bad
Is strictly up to you
Life is a paradox
And it doesn't make much sense
Can't have the femme without the fatale
Please don't take offense
Don't let the fruit rot
Under the vine
Fill up your cup
And let's drink the wine
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruit
Is yours to take
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
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^. [it's a] Book of Genesis reference. Garden of Eden, the serpent, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
..etc.