Richie Havens
My Father’s Shoes
I would be thankful for the gifts that were given
I will not turn my back on the past
You should not resent me for moving forward
I cannot rectify all the things that went bad for you
I cannot move where these four walls surround me
Even though it may be right for you
I cannot see through another man's eyes
I will not walk in my father's shoes
You gave me the reasons that have long been forgotten
An escape from a life that was not your own
But you passed down your possessions to the generation
And here you will live in your father's home
But is it the brave that destroy the circle
There are no heroes who gamble and lose
I do not resemble the face in the picture
I will not walk in my father's shoes
I will not walk in my father's shoes
I cannot approve of what you have created
I cannot impress you with all that I see
I never have asked you for too many favors
I never have asked you to be more like me
Would I be selfish to alter the order?
Would I be foolish to not follow you?
I have the strength to run past all that you have
I will not walk in my father's shoes
I will not walk in my father's shoes
I will not walk in my father's shoes