Dallas Davidson -- I'm Not Racist or Homophobic ... Just Angry

Dallas Davidson says he only screamed racial and homophobic slurs during his bar fight in Nashville because someone sent him into a blind rage.

Dallas tells TMZ he was provoked into an altercation and lost his temper while defending himself. Cops say he hurled racial slurs and screamed, "There's that f***ing fa****t that punched me."

Dallas says he's not racist or homophobic, adding ... "Although I cannot defend what I said, I am sorry for my insensitivity." He did not elaborate about who started the fight or why.

TMZ broke the story ... the country lyricist was arrested at Tin Roof in downtown Nashville for public intoxication and disorderly conduct after allegedly trying to start fights with various bar patrons.