Counterfeit Fathers

Come here, son, I can name the lack I can put the iron back I can tell you why you drift Who took the floor, who closed the lift You were not weak, you were denied They took the edge and called it pride They taught you how to fold and wait Then mocked the shape they helped create You do not need a question You need a cause You do not need forgiveness You need a law Counterfeit fathers Step into the break Give the lost a posture Give the hurt a name Counterfeit fathers Make the wound stand still Name the thief, name the traitor Name the one to blame at will Stand up straight, I'll draw the map Who climbed the ladder, who sprung the trap Who gets the room, who gets the praise Who gets to name the modern age Do not doubt what I can see The world was bent away from thee Take this anger, make it clean Take this hunger, make it mean You do not need an answer Large enough for truth You need a narrower story Sharp enough to use Counterfeit fathers Step into the break Give the lost a posture Give the hurt a name Counterfeit fathers Make the wound stand still Name the thief, name the traitor Name the one to blame at will I will spare you weather I will spare you doubt I will give you brothers I will point them out I will call it order I will call it fire I will make you the measure And tell you where you stand I will give you manhood Hard enough to wear Built from bruise and grievance Bright with borrowed air Counterfeit fathers Raise the sons unmade Teach them rank and cadence Teach them who betrayed Counterfeit fathers Lay the false hand on Turn the need for guidance Into marching song Counterfeit fathers Calm enough to lead Feed the ache a doctrine Feed the void a creed Counterfeit fathers Certain, clean, and wrong Give the lost an answer They can live inside too long Come here, son I can name the lack Come here, son I can put the iron back