Verse 1 They set a place for me at the table told me I should be grateful for the spread Called it strength, called it heritage called it exactly what I needed I chewed for an hour before I understood what I was swallowing wasn't food Pre-Chorus Nobody warned me iron doesn't taste like anything until it's already down Chorus Something to chew on That's what they called it Something to build you up Something to make you strong I've been eating what they gave me my whole life and I still don't know what real food tastes like Verse 2 My whole family sat around that table Nobody else seemed to notice the shine on what was on their plates the way it never went down easy Somebody said grace Somebody said "this is how it's always been done" Somebody passed the dish and I took what I was given, same as everyone Pre-Chorus Nobody warned me iron doesn't taste like anything until it's already down Chorus (repeat) Bridge I've set that same table myself, since told somebody younger it would make them strong Watched them chew it the way I did and didn't say a word I keep meaning to say something I keep passing the dish instead Final Chorus Something to chew on That's what they called it Something to build you up Something to make you strong I've been eating what they gave me my whole life and I don't think I'm going to stop now that I know how to serve it Outro (physical and unresolved) Still tastes like metal. Still swallowing. Still at the table.
