(Spoken Word Intro) They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree... (Verse 1) I’m watching 'em grow and I’m starting to see the design, The same jagged edges and the same crooked line. My oldest is a mirror, I see myself in his eyes, With my momma’s beautiful spirit but those long, hard goodbyes. I’m looking at the youngest and it’s a terrifying view, Seeing my dad’s old temper starting to break on through. I know I’m the reason that they’re crying these tears, 'Cause I’m the one who let the demons in all through the years. I’m an expert in the breaking, I’m a master of the crash, Trying to build 'em a future out of a pile of my own ash. I inherited this curse and I’m passing down the cold, Terrified they’ll wake up with a hand they can't even hold... (Chorus) Oh Lord, I’m terrified my boys are gonna end up like me, The same broken branches on a dying family tree. I’m staring at their spirits while I’m buckling under this yoke, Trying to keep 'em breathing while I’m the one who’s broke. Yeah, the blood is a river and I’m trying to wash it clean, Please God, please help 'em be better men than what I used to be. (Verse 2) I’m looking at the ghosts of the men and women in my line, Drowning in the bitterness of a generational vine. I’m praying that my sons don't inherit this dark and twisted spine... Living out the sentence for a list of sins that weren't even mine. It’s a hand-me-down hunger, it’s a sickness in the bone, I can hear the voices calling 'em, I can’t leave 'em here alone. I’m watching their little wires start to tangle and to cross, Counting up the seconds 'til their sanity is just lost... I looked at the mirror and I saw that same old decay, Realized the DNA was nothing but a DOA. Will they inherit the bottle? Will they inherit the smoke? Will they inherit the shakes until their spirits are just broke? I’m suffocating under the pressure of every single one of my mistakes... (Chorus) Oh Lord, I’m terrified my boys are gonna end up like me, The same broken branches on a dying family tree. I’m staring at their spirits while I’m buckling under this yoke, Trying to keep 'em breathing while I’m the one who’s broke. Yeah, the blood is a river and I’m trying to wash it clean, Please God, please help 'em be better men than what I used to be. (Bridge) So I’m face-down at the altar, I’m giving it to the Father, I’m done feeling like I’m leading my lambs to the slaughter. I’m laying out the wreckage, I’m handing Him the keys, A broken-hearted sinner finally falling to his knees. Take the venom out the blood, take the shadow out the name, I won’t let my two sons carry one more ounce of this shame. Every generational curse is getting crushed under His hand, He’s the only Way I’m ever gonna be a better man. I’m picking up the cross now, I’m dropping what is heavy, I’m handing Him the battle 'cause I’m finally, ready..... He’s the fire in the furnace, He’s the Spirit in the rain, And He’s the only One who’s strong enough to finally break the chain! (Chorus) Oh Lord, I’m terrified my boys are gonna end up like me, The same broken branches on a dying family tree. I’m staring at their spirits while I’m buckling under this yoke, Trying to keep 'em breathing while I’m the one who’s broke. Yeah, the blood is a river and I’m trying to wash it clean, Please God, please help 'em be better men than what I used to be. (Post-Chorus) (Please God, help 'em be better than me...) (Please God, help 'em be better than me...)
