My Mother Had a Brother

My mother had a brother
They say that I was born on the day that he died
Someone to cling to, she said
When all the noises and the shame came calling

My mother had a brother
I thought I knew them all, I thought I knew
But she lied
I said, "Show me his face again, tell me again why he died"

She said he couldn't wait for the things that I've seen
She said he wasn't strong enough, he never dared to dream a life like mine

My mother had a brother
Over-sensitive and kind
Seems it all became much too much for him
It seems he took his own life
Mum, I can't imagine the joy and pain in equal measure
Tears in the dirt, and all over your newborn treasure

I guess he had to wait 'til my momma had me
Guess he couldn't wait another moment to be free
In endless sky

But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times, they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
And we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day for him
The sun came out, yeah, and I'm just breathing it in
Yeah, breathing

My mother had a brother
Same desire, different time
Seems the empty spaces tortured him
Until he took his own life

I don't know why I waited so long for love
I just don't know what I was thinking of
All that wasted time

But mama will you tell him from your boy?
The times, they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
While we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy?
I live each day with him
Your son came out, yeah
Yeah, I'm still breathing it in

And I swear now that freedom is here
I'm gonna taste it all for you boy
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little torn
I'm making so much love (I'm making so much love)

So those of us who have nothing to fear
We've got to make damn sure that it was worth it
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little stoned
I'm making so much love (I'm making so much love)

I was a prisoner, but he saved me
Broke into my dreams and said, "Who cares?'"
I was a prisoner, so disgrace me
I'm glad to be home
And I don't believe they care