silhouettes above the cradle hold me down they won't let me go the wrong way my mother taught me all the fables, told me how in the end all the sinners have to pay but... i don't wanna live like my mother i don't wanna let fear rule my life and i don't wanna live like my father i don't wanna give up before i die he worked so hard his bones are breaking he wore them down but long ago he lost the feeling his good intentions leave me shaking, show me how i don't ever want to end up like he did and... [chorus] when i have kids i won't put any chains on their wrists, i won't i'll tell them this there's nothing in this world that you can't be if you want it enough