Truth Behind the Mask

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OH BROTHER [Acoustic guitar — warm, stomping folk rhythm] [Verse 1] Oh brother, why do you pander to our mother? You know exactly how she gets— You’ve said it like no other. Keeping fathers from their children— You called that an unforgivable sin. Funny how you aim your stones at him, and never let him in. Where’d your backbone go? Where the hell did you get the nerve? You speak your mind when she’s not there, Then smile on cue when she returns. Are you scared your happy little life Could end up looking like mine? So you choke down every honest word And pretend you're doing fine. [Pre-Chorus] Maybe you just wanna be The favourite in her eyes. Brother, you can keep the crown— I’m done with the alibis. [Chorus] Oh brother, oh brother, Why you hiding from the truth? You spit it out behind closed doors, Then swallow it in the room. Oh brother, oh brother, You can grin and play pretend, But biting down to keep the peace Won’t make the damage end. [Post-Chorus / EDM lift] Say what you mean, Mean what you say. You can’t hold the peace By looking away. Say what you mean, Mean what you say— I’d rather stand alone Than live that way. [Verse 2] Dad’s good for when you need him, When the need for favors comes around— Need some cash? Need a babysitter? Funny how he’s family now. Then once you're comfortable, You kick him to the curb. Love’s not a light switch that you flick off when no one’s around. And brother, don’t pretend You don’t carry anger too. I’ve watched you bite your lip enough To know exactly what you do. You can blame me for the words That everybody knows, But silence isn’t maturity— It’s where the hate takes root and grows. [Pre-Chorus] Maybe I’m the fucking problem ’Cause I won’t play pretend, But I’d rather break the pattern Than preserve it to the end. [Chorus] Oh brother, oh brother, why do you pander to our mother? Why you hiding from the truth? You spit it out behind closed doors, Then swallow it in the room. Oh brother, oh brother, You can grin and play pretend, But biting down to keep the peace Won’t make the damage end. [Verse 3 — building] You judge the woman that I love By whether she could bear my child— Brother, are you fucking serious? Have you lost your fucking mind? Like my only reason for being here Is giving your daughter cousins someday, Like love and building something real isn't worth it, for there are debts I have to pay. <br /> Then you tell me, “She’s like Mother— Controlling as can be, oh brother can’t you see?” You twist yourself around the woman You keep warning me to flee. If she’s everything you claim Whenever she’s not in the room, Then grow a pair and tell her, brother— Why the fuck you only telling me? [Bridge — stripped back] I know I’m angry. I know I’ve got my scars. At least I lay them on the table— I don’t hide them in the dark. I’ve said things wrong. I’ve crossed some lines. But I won’t crown silence virtue Just because it keeps things nice. You keep your truth inside your pocket, Spend it when she’s away, Then fold it up and hide it The second she might hear you say— [Final Chorus — full lift] Oh brother, oh brother, I don’t need you on my side. I just wish the man behind closed doors Was the man you show outside. Oh brother, oh brother, Keep your favourite-child disguise. Keep the handshakes, keep the false smiles, Keep the polished alibis. [Final Drop / Outro] Say what you mean, Mean what you say. You can’t heal a family By looking away. Say what you mean, Mean what you say— I’d rather lose the whole damn room Than lie another day. Oh brother... You know how she is. You’ve said it yourself. So why am I the only one Who says it to her face?