Shadows on a Steel Guitar

Lyrics

Experts preach to “be tough on your kids,” let the hard times roll, Build that tough backbone, make ’em stronger and good for the soul. But thats a lot different than what I woke up to every day— Too many pills mom passed out again, she won't wake up and paramedics on the way Went to school just to hang out with my friends and smoke dope 6th grade was just a time to hang out used to try and cope. I Knew how to duck, how to run, how to hide in the dark But love? That was a mystery I wouldn't know it if it spoke I was Always hustling for cash for Christmas so I could tell my friends we weren't broke. (Chorus) It’s no blessing, to experience that no “character” shine, It’s a tragedy carved in these bones of mine. Alcohol, abuse—yeah, we called that “home,” Left me searching for truth, still lost and alone. It ain’t your fault, so hear the truth in this song, Parents dragged you in, now the damage is done. Get mad, get loud, let the anger fright— Then go be the light, be the person you truly are and do what's right (Verse 2) Years spent unpacking sayin why I’m wired this way, Chasing demons in my head gotta beat em off each day Thought it all made me tougher—nah, it just made me scared, Of every single touch, and every person who cared I use to feel lucky for surviving that hell, then i realized they stole my dam childhood something I never could tell Street smarts can’t teach you what real love should be, When being scared was normal and pain was the key. (Bridge) When the fear finally fades and rage consumes your soul Look ’em both in the eye, and show em what they did took a terrible toll Tell ’em it was wrong, every scar, every tear, They owe you the years they stole and saw it crystal clear If you ever see your old man—knock his teeth out on the floor, for the nights you can’t un-live anymore. He’s getting off easy, believe you me, he's lucky I didn't shoot him one in each knee It’s no blessing, to experience what I did Its no “character” shine, It’s a tragedy carved in these bones of mine. Alcohol, abuse—yeah, thats what we called our “home,” Left me searching for truth, still lost and alone. It ain’t my fault—ill scream it till the the day I die Parents’ are to blame, in case your wondering why I Get mad, I get loud, i let the anger rise don't tell me it's not their fault, you didn't see it through my eyes I'm walkin out that door, leavin the wreckage behind, I won't carry their poison, or repeat their crime. If theres everyone who endured the kind of pain I went through, you should consider making your parents apologize and pay for the damage they've been done to you.