Scars We Keep

Excuses are easy When everything's on the line These Montana magpies With their black and their white Feathers sitting Side by side Bring an unknown offering Of something we should try Was he a monster or a martyr It depends on who you ask But once it's done You can't take it back How can I keep my mind open If my eyes are closed It's hard to hide the hate When there is no love to show How can I nail a man up For the color of his skin Knock him down, make him pay For my father's sin I am starting to see We are all the color of the scars we keep "I'll show you when you're older" My father always said But he never did Get old enough for that Every Sunday afternoon Denim shirt, cowboy hat Out in the sun Throwing shadows and an axe There's a tool for every job And a job for every man Be careful What you put in your hands How can I keep my mind open If my eyes are closed It's hard to hide the hate When there is no love to show How can I nail a man up For the color of his skin Knock him down, make him pay For my father's sin I am starting to see We are all the color of the scars we keep These times are hard And it's harder to heal When where you were born Decides what you fear It's time to be a brother Not my father's son I was born to be a bigot But that don't mean that I am one I put my boots on just the same And when the day is done I pray For you, my son How can I keep my mind open If my eyes are closed It's hard to hide the hate When there is no love to show How can I nail a man up For the color of his skin Knock him down, make him pay For my father's sin I am starting to see We are all the color of the scars we keep We are all the color of the scars we keep