Father

I want you to know man, that...
even though you weren't there...
I turned out to be alright,
and I forgive you...

Lord, have mercy on him, for he knows not what he has done.
Leaving me and my brother all alone. I was barely even one.
And the children in the neighborhood, he was a father to them all,
but the one's that were left forgotten, were the sons of his own.
And beside the two of us, man my sister's in this too.
I could still see the pain in my mother's eyes, receiving no support from you.
Not to mention little Sec... Man that boy looks just like you.
And as sure as my name is Michael, I was put here to break the cycle.

Father, oh father, I forgive you...
for what you did to me.
Oh father, oh father, I forgive you... (listen)
for what you did to me.

Now that I'm all grown up, and I'm living on my own,
I thank God for the backbone of my grandmother,
'cause it was her that made me strong.
And I learned how to be a man, though you were never there.
I looked up to my cousins and my uncle,
'cause they were the only ones who cared.
Looking back on my life, man I have no regrets.
I can truly say I'm a better man, and it's because of your neglect.
It was a blessing in disguise, that you were not around.
Now I can look in your eyes and say, "Daddy the pain is over now."

Father, oh father, I forgive you...
for what you did to me.
Oh father, oh father, I forgive you...
for what you did to me.

I can still see the pain, in my mother's eyes!
On her knees; tears in her eyes!
But you see... I'm a better man!
Yes I am! Yes I am!
Oh father... yeah...