Do a little bit more than you have to do My father said, "Stand up straight" "Shake their hand and don't be late" "Don't let the world see you afraid" But I was scared most days He said, "Work hard, don't complain" "Keep your word, don't shift the blame" Some of it stuck, some slipped away Some I still hear today My father said, "I'll keep you safe" He built the walls, he fixed the gate He never said much face to face But I felt it anyway He didn't cry, he didn't shout He fixed the things I wore right out In quiet rooms and steady hands He taught me more than he had planned [BARITONE] My father said [HIGH TENOR] And I believed [BARITONE] Some things I carry [HIGH TENOR] Some I leave [BOTH] He gave me tools He gave me truth And a few old ghosts I had to soothe My father said And I became A little like him And not the same He said, "Don't dream too big, my son" "Life's not a race that can be won" I wore those doubts like hand-me-downs (hand-me-downs) Till I turned them inside out He meant no harm, he meant control But I had fire he couldn't hold I didn't break the mold he cast I just outgrew it at last He said, "Fix what's broke, don't throw away" "Earn your keep, and mind your say" "Don't wait for luck to light your way" (light your way) And some of that still guides my day But now I tell my boys instead "Be kind. Be stubborn. Use your head." Take what's true and let it grow And leave behind what you outgrow [HIGH TENOR] My father said [BARITONE] And I believed [HIGH TENOR] Some things I carry [BARITONE] Some I leave [BOTH] He gave me tools He gave me truth And a few old ghosts I had to soothe My father said And I became A little like him And not the same I wore his words like second skin (second skin) I broke them and they grew back in 'Cause there's a boy out there with my last name And my mouth keeps saying it the same He said, "I'll protect you, come what may" And sometimes love got in the way He meant it more than he could show So now I say it. Out loud. Slow. Now I'm the one who speaks at night I try to get the balance right I tell my sons, "Take what I do well (what I do well) And change the rest yourself" "Don't just meet what's asked of you Do a little more than you have to do" I see their eyes, I hear their doubt And I hope to God they figure it out There's love in silence There's love in rage There's love you don't see 'til you're his age There's love in lessons We outgrow And love in things we'll never know [BARITONE] My father said [HIGH TENOR] And I believed [BARITONE] Some things I carry [HIGH TENOR] Some I leave [BOTH] He gave me tools He gave me truth And a few old ghosts I had to soothe And someday they'll say "My father said" A little like me And not the same Do a little bit more than you have to do (do a little bit more) Do a little bit more than you have to do Here, Dad— The last line is for you
