Sage Francis - Inherited Scars lyrics

"I wanna show you something" She said
As if I had built up enough trust in her
To the point where she could show me
The type of thing that she had to first
Instead of just showing it like, "Look"
And I'm like "I don't feel like lookin'"
Like the uninterested type
So I say "A'ight, show that shit"
But a little more respect and reservation
It was my sister for Christ's sake
So I'm waiting for a follow-up line
There usually always is to statements like
"I want to show you something"
It kind of runs in the same vein
As statements like "You can't tell anyone"
And then promises are made secrets are kept

I didn't tell anyone about what I
Seen or heard that day, mums the word still
I'm scared to plant ideas into your head
While your rebellious side is fertile
Hurdles are getting knocked down
I'm running a losing race
Your legs aren't the only ones marked up
How many dreams have you chased?
If I could have said this to your face maybe
You wouldn't have to write like I do
Except I use paper instead of my body now
It's something you might want to try too
From haikus to horror stories
It's something in our blood that we share
Something in our blood that
Appears on the surface
Of our skin when we bring it there
My facial expression said I didn't care
Hate and aggression must've
Made an impression
On the little kid who stared
Sitting on stairs when I would
Bother to bring my skates
My feeble attempt at being a strong
Big brother doing father figure 8's
Ripping my cape on the ground
That it dragged on
Tripping on fate and hearing the
Sounds of a sad song
Listen, it's great sharing time
Now that dad's gone
But what's with the choice of words?
Or the body parts that you
Decided to tag them on?
I'm a vagabond who moved to modern
Day Babylon and then back again
With minimal contact and you know I
Can't ask your mom what's happening
You've got such beautiful gifts
What are you doing ruining the packaging?
How ironic come to think I probably put
This ink on my back for him
I want you to laugh and sing more
But you dropped anchor in a place
Where dreams go to die and
You're keeping your ass indoors
I'm asking for you to stick it
Out and see things through
You're asking for me to zip my mouth and
Keep it just between me and you

If I could have been there from the beginning
If I could be there right now
If I could promise to be
There when you need me
Would it raise an eyebrow?
How would your body be different if
I still dropped by for visit's?
Is it my place to put a smile on your face?
Could I erase your body language telling
You it's all been said before?
Or change the words you wrote
Exchanging your scars for my metaphors?
I'd add them to my collection while smiling
Next time you want to paint with razor blades
And need a canvas use my skin

You're hiding your sins well
But I see the hell that your limbs speak
Tongue in cheek Lying awake in
Bed while other kids sleep
The strength of evil begins to
Keep your grins weak
No matter the length of the needle
Marking up one's body is so
Much more than skin deep
Feel the pin prick The grim
Reap what they sew
And you're trained to say that you're fine
Your thresh hold for pain
Is greater than mine
So I'm waiting in the lines
That you give me patiently
While you get cut in the lines
That THEY make YOU wait in
In ways that they can't see
If there's a vacancy as far as
Room in your life goes
Say it to me Don't do it
With a knife under your clothes
Because the anguish of hidden skin is
Letting my ghosts be shown
Plus the language it's written in
Hit's especially close to home
I'm most alone when I'm out of touch with
The people who feel this type of pain
You might just aim for a
Day that it's raining
To strike a vein to take my name in
Changing your uniform and altering
Your mind set
Has your pointer finger decided if it was a
Fault of his or mine yet?I bet
I know the dialect It's nowhere
I haven't been before
With skin that's sore Battle scars that
Rise from our inner war
Are decorative medals of honor that our
Father decided to pass through inheritance
And it is repetitive when the kids
Head in the direction of evidence
Proving the pain and hurt is relative

All this pain and hurt is relative

(Young Sage Francis?) Stop that
Or I'll cut your head off
(Francis's little sister?) Awwwwww!
(Young Sage Francis?) What? You're on
The re tape recorder now
(Francis's little sister?) What!?