I Wanted So Badly To Be Brave

(album: No Closer To Heaven - 2015)

I cut open my palm and held it out to you.
You did the same with your old army surplus blade.
My blood's never as warm as I'd expect it.
You grabbed my hand adorned in wildflower warpaint.

You made yellows out of Marigolds.
You made purple out of Camellias.

We charged headfirst into the woods with bows and arrows drawn.
Crudely fashioned--sticks and rubber bands and spray paint.
We swore ourselves protectors from all the evil in the world.
You weren't born my brother but you're gonna die that way.

You ran alone
(You ran alone)
In the falling snow
Barefoot down White's Road.
I watched your bruises grow,
(Your bruises grow)
Strangely beautiful,
Purple and yellow.
You said, "Don't.
Don't take me home. Don't take me home. Don't take me home."

Your father came in angry like a thunderstorm.
He tossed you room from room and I watched color draining from your face.
Fault lines started forming underneath all of your floorboards.
We sat terrified, waiting on an earthquake.

I watched you put on a brave face.
I wanted so badly to be brave.

You ran alone
(You ran alone)
In the falling snow
Barefoot down White's Road.
I watched your bruises grow,
(Your bruises grow)
Strangely beautiful,
Purple and yellow.
You said, "Don't.
Don't take me home. Don't take me home. Don't take me home."

Whoa oh oh
Whoa oh oh oh
Whoa oh oh
Whoa oh oh oh

They kicked you out to teach you what a man is.
I don't think I'll ever know what that means.
They'll put a gun into your hand and call you weak until you're violent.
Don't believe it.
They're hateful because they're empty.
We got a chance to break the cycle.
We could be the heroes that we always said we'd be.
But don't take me home. Don't take me home. Don't take me...

Don't take me home. Don't take me home. Don't take me
Home, home.

Don't take me home. Don't take me home. Don't take me
Home, home.

Don't take me home. Don't take me home. Don't take me..