DEAR FATHER

VERSE I
I’d love to be much more a part of your life,
but our contrasts…bring differences to light
that’s a fact and I can’t get away
try to turn my back – it still lingers in my brain
constant complaints, wanna repress, but I can’t
when it’s all said and done, the stain of absence will remain
tears act as rain, to clear cloudy days
fear’s a factor with the storm – in comes the purple haze
gotta confront the situation, instill a bit of patience
inject you and I with the problems we’re faced with
insecurities turn to weakness – and weakness kills uniqueness
I refuse to let this go, then again, it leaves me speechless
don’t wanna step on toes – I’m verbally clumsy at times
I tiptoe around our issues, faith’s fate resigns
I love you, I respect you, for everything you do
you’re an incredible role model, hope to speak with you soon

I scream, so you can hear me, Father,
forgive this man for all that I've done wrong
I speak to you clearly
I'm payin' back my debt that I've owed for so long
now I stand before you whole, but owe you half of me
using music, as a way to push my memories
life's flashin', an addict for lavish
a mic can make magic, helped power me to grab it, dear Father

CHORUS I
dear Father…I owe you half of me
please help…I’ll attempt to tame the beast
I will only breathe and will not speak…

CHORUS II
standing in the light
a different side perceived
a broken child restored
a troubled heart relieved
I only know in part,
but you have helped me see
I stand before you whole,
but owe you half of me

VERSE II
so many years have passed, still when I look back
it's clear...days equal pain and my cup was overrun with tears
my past made a rage that I hid from you
I coped with drugs as an outspoken youth
spent the last ten years actin' like I know it all, wrong
I know a lot, but still gotta lot to learn
earn my worth with my pride
realize you walked beside this guy, got my back for life
Father, watcher, teacher, preacher
you believed in me, helped this man kill the creature
mentor of truth, watched this kid act out
grown man now, still got the smile of a lost child
now I walk with you hand-in-hand
through the sand, I look and see one set of footprints
nowadays I carry you with me
here to claim my soul, in your name, I tamed the beast

the least I could do is thank you,
but in the past, I’ve had the blues and refused to try
thought that I could prove, disprove, or lose the lies
now we stuck cruisin’ by with bruised goodbyes
through the drugs and alcohol – nothin’s been resolved
and through it all, I always knew who I could call
so for now…instead of tamin’ the beast,
2 choices – be released or pronounced deceased

CHORUS
dear Father…I owe you half of me
please help…I’ll attempt to tame the beast
I will only breathe and will not speak…

CHORUS II
standing in the light
a different side perceived
a broken child restored
a troubled heart relieved
I only know in part,
but you have helped me see
I stand before you whole,
but owe you half of me

BRIDGE
for now I see...in a mirror dimly,
but then...face to face
now I know in part,
but then I shall know fully
even as I have been fully known

CHORUS
dear Father…I owe you half of me
please help…I’ll attempt to tame the beast
I will only breathe and will not speak…

CHORUS II
standing in the light
a different side perceived
a broken child restored
a troubled heart relieved
I only know in part,
but you have helped me see
I stand before you whole,
but owe you half of me