Melissa Etheridge
"Silent Legacy"

(M. Etheridge)

Why did you steal the matches 
From the one room motel 
Once they gave you answers
Now they give you hell
They will never understand 
They wonder where did they go wrong
How could you be so selfish 
Why can't you get along 

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And as you pray in your darkness
For wings to set you free 
You are bound to your silent legacy 

You've seen it in the movies 
And you've heard it on the street 
Craving the affection 
Your blood is full of heat
They don't listen to your reasons 
As original as sin 
Deny all that you feel 
And they will bring you home again 

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Your body is alive 
But no one told you what you'd feel
The empty aching hours 
Trying to conceal 
The natural progression 
Is the coming of your age
But they cover it with shame 
And turn it into rage 

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You are digging for the answers 
Until your fingers bleed 
To satisfy the hunger
To satiate the need 
They feed you on the guilt 
To keep you humble keep you low
Some man and myth they made up
A thousand years ago

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Mothers tell your children 
Be quick you must be strong 
Life is full of wonder 
Love is never wrong 
Remember how they taught you 
How much of it was fear 
Refuse to hand it down 
The legacy stops here 

Oh my child...