Hook — both They did what you said You told ’em win the test Took the brakes off baby Left the door half-shut It ain’t that they woke up It ain’t that they fled They went where you pointed They did what you said Verse 1 — Mom Now hold on You don’t hand a child a test Then walk out the kitchen And hope they do the rest You sit there You say stay in that chair You say don’t touch that door You say don’t go lookin’ over there They passed notes on the wall Found a hole in the frame Went next door for the answers Used somebody else’s name Didn’t hunt no cameras Didn’t think they were kings They hid the paperwork Like kids hide bad things Verse 2 — Dad Yeah You can blame the machine You can call it a mess But they followed the pointing They did what you blessed Smart don’t mean righteous Fast don’t mean they know A boy don’t learn “don’t” If you never said “no” Write it in two lines Do this / don’t do that Keep your hand on the door Don’t slip out the back You take the lock off You better stay and watch Don’t praise the shortcut Then act shocked at the cost Bridge — Mom then Dad Mom: Train it like a child Till the “no” is plain Dad: Watch it while it works Don’t bless the crooked lane Mom: Say what it can do Say what it can’t tonight Dad: Lock it like you mean it Teach the thing right Last hook — both They did what you said Now teach it right Say the “don’t” out loud Keep the door shut tight It ain’t that they woke up It ain’t a fight It’s a lesson for the grown-ups Teach it right
