[Verse 1]
Cartoons on the TV
Face to the floorboards
Holding in breathing
Counting each footstep
Belt in his fist
But
It’s your name he’s calling
Punished for ghosts that
You never met
Sneakers by the back door
Caked in yesterday
Sneak past the screen door
Heart in your mouth
Out past the rusted gate
Flies and the summer heat
You climb on the fence rail
And finally climb out
[Chorus]
Out in the pens with the pigs and the mud
That’s the only place I ain’t feeling your blood
I’m a kid with a spine you keep trying to snap
But I’m building my kingdom in all of your crap
Dreaming a life that you swore I can’t reach
Choking on rage till it turns into speech
You made me grow up with your hands and your lies
I’ll drag your name through the shit when I rise (when I rise)
[Verse 2]
School photo fake smile
Finger marks fading
Teacher asks questions
You stare at the clock
Kids bragging birthdays
Gifts stacked on tables
You count up your bruises
And laugh at the cost
List of “be good” rules
Taped to the fridge door
You break one by breathing
You’re breathing
It’s wrong
So you feed slop in silence
Talk to the fat hogs
Swear to their bright eyes
You’re not staying long
[Chorus]
Out in the pens with the pigs and the mud
That’s the only place I ain’t tasting your blood
I’m a kid with a rage you keep trying to drown
But it’s growing tusks
Gonna tear through this town
Dreaming a life that you spit on as weak
Scrubbing your curses off every last cheek
You made me your outlet
Your punchline
Your blame
I’m carving my future in spite of your name (in spite of your name)
[Bridge]
One day I’m gone
And you’re yelling at walls
No one to swing at
No one to crawl
I’ll buy my own acres
Far from this stink
Raise something gentle
Teach it to think
[Chorus]
Out in the pens with the pigs and the mud
I learned what is mercy
I learned what is love
I was small
I was shaking
I still didn’t break
You hit me with everything you couldn’t take
Dreamed of a life you said wasn’t for me
Now I’m the person you’re scared I could be
You made me grow up
But you don’t get the prize
I’m walking out barefoot
You’re shrinking in size (shrinking in size)