LYRICS [VHS Birthday Intro] [Children singing] Happy birthday— [Applause] [Father] Make a wish [Tape glitch] Wish Wish Wish Wish [Verse 1] He was seven when he asked what I did for a living I said, “I help people remember what they’ve been given” He looked at my hands, then he looked at the floor Children know the answer before they know what answers are for At twelve he stopped talking when my friends came around At fifteen he learned every back road out of town At eighteen he said, “I will never be you” And I heard my own father in every word coming through I bought him a car I bought him a name I gave him protection I taught him my shame [Chorus] He’s the son I couldn’t save From the blood and from the grave From the house, the name, the debt From the things a boy inherits He’s the son I couldn’t save Whether coward, king or brave If he leaves, I lose my son If he stays, I know what I’ve done [Verse 2] He came home one winter with a cut above his eye Said he walked into a door, and I let him tell the lie There was something in his posture, something colder in his face A man can watch his history moving into someone else’s place I wanted him stronger I wanted him clean I wanted him nowhere Near the things I had seen I wanted him grateful I wanted him free I wanted a son Who would never judge me [Father-and-Son Dialogue] [Son] You think money is love [Father] Money keeps doors closed [Son] You think fear is respect [Father] Fear keeps boys old [Son] You built me a future [Father] I built you a wall [Son] You keep calling it family [Father] That’s what we call it all [Chorus] He’s the son I couldn’t save From the blood and from the grave From the house, the name, the debt From the things a boy inherits He’s the son I couldn’t save Whether coward, king or brave If he leaves, I lose my son If he stays, I know what I’ve done [Spoken Bridge] A father gives a boy a watch And tells him time is precious A father gives a boy his anger And calls it being ready A father gives a boy his name And wonders why it’s heavy [Muted Trumpet Solo] [Beat drops to bass and vinyl noise] [Trumpet plays five lonely phrases] [Final Choir Chorus] He’s the son I couldn’t save [Couldn’t save him] From the blood and from the grave [Couldn’t save him] If he runs, the blood will follow If he stays, he takes my place He’s the son I couldn’t save [Mercy, mercy] He has got his mother’s eyes And his father’s face [VHS Freeze Outro] [Child’s voice] Did I get my wish?
