I Wanted So Badly to be Brave

Well, I cut open my palm and held it out to you

You did the same with your old army surplus blade

My blood's never as warm as I'd expect it

You grabbed my hand adorned in wildflower warpaint

You made yellows out of Marigolds

You made purples out of Camellias

We charged headfirst into the woods with bows and arrows drawn

Crudely fashioned sticks and rubber bands and spray paint

We swore ourselves protectors from all the evil in the world

You weren't born my brother but you're gonna die that way

You ran alone in the falling snow

Barefoot down Wickes road

I watched your bruises grow

Strangely beautiful, purple and yellow

You said

"Don't, don't take me home,don't take me home,don't take me home"

Your father came in angry like a thunderstorm

He tossed you room from room and I

Watched the color draining from your face

Fault lines started forming underneath all of your floorboards

We sat terrified, waiting on an earthquake

I watched you put on a brave face

I wanted so badly to be brave

You ran alone in the falling snow (You ran alone)

Barefoot down Wickes road

I watched your bruises grow (your bruises grow)

Strangely beautiful, purple and yellow

You said

"Don't, don't take me home,don't take me home,don't take me home"

They kicked you out to teach you what a man is

I don't think I'll ever know what that means

They'll put a gun into your hand

And call you weak until you're violent

Don't believe it

They're hateful because they're empty

We've got a chance to break the cycle

We could be the heroes that we always said we'd be

But don't take me home, don't take me home,don't take me