As a young child
I would walk at your feet
I was so in awe
The stories you told me
The way you would hold me
I felt so small
You were the best of all
Then we watched you fall

Hard to believe
We could all be deceived
They were tender years
Choices you made
We all felt betrayed
And time stood still
But the past is done
We were very young

Oh Father, you've got to be strong
Oh Mother, don't cry
I know that you've tried
Please be strong
Oh

Lord, I was shaken
Heartsick and vacant
And filled with doubt
Trapped in a cage
I became so enraged
I would fight to get out
Were we all to blame?
I felt such shame

Oh Father, you've got to be strong
Oh Mother, don't cry
You know that we've tried
Please, be strong
Oh

Now that I'm grown
With a child of my own
I reflect on the years
The love that was lost
We all paid a cost
With a life filled with tears
Oh, but I love you dear
Let us move from here

Oh Father, you've got to be strong
Oh Mother, don't cry
You know that we've tried
Please, be strong

Oh sister, don't cry
You know that we've tried and tried