Rearview

My mama was a witch

In the guise of a beautician

The town's women filled the house

The men never paid attention

And she would teach them spells,

Paint their nails and mend their wings

When the men would start to ask

It was time to pack our things

She looked at me in the rearview mirror

As she started the ignition

She said Ask for forgiveness. Not permission

Ask for forgiveness. Not permission

My grandma made it through the camps

Tricking guards and telling lies

Her three best friends and her

Made sure they all come out alive

My great-grandma made corsets

With tiny knives hidden inside

When the younger girls would ask

She said it's better to survive

They look at me in the rearview mirror

As I'm starting the ignition,

They say Ask for forgiveness. Not permission

Ask for forgiveness. Not permission

  

I trust this secret onto you

My dearest, wild daughter

Born to a bloodline of dissent

Half fire half water

And when the stakes will rise

Towards a future inquisition

I trust you to decide

If you're with them or against them.

I look at you in the rearview mirror

As I'm starting the ignition

I say Ask for forgiveness, not permission.

If you must, then ask for forgiveness, not permission.

If they catch you ask for forgiveness.

Don't ask for their permission.