silhouettes above the cradle hold me down

they won't let me go the wrong way

my mother taught me all the fables, told me how

in the end all the sinners have to pay

but...



i don't wanna live like my mother

i don't wanna let fear rule my life

and i don't wanna live like my father

i don't wanna give up before i die



he worked so hard his bones are breaking

he wore them down but long ago he lost the feeling

his good intentions leave me shaking, show me how

i don't ever want to end up like he did

and...



[chorus]



when i have kids

i won't put any chains on their wrists, i won't

i'll tell them this

there's nothing in this world that you can't be if you want it enough