[00:25.538]I remember in my younger years
[00:28.611]Walking to the city pool
[00:31.329]Got yelled at, called a faggot
[00:33.745]From this kid I knew in school
[00:37.167]His dad, and dad before him
[00:40.186]Lived outside of town
[00:42.991]With a lack of education
[00:45.657]And the options weren't around
[00:48.031]
[00:49.129]Sometimes I'd see that boy in class
[00:52.087]With bruises on his eyes
[00:55.065]Red and pretty swollen
[00:57.734]Tears tangled up in pride
[01:00.808]Repeating memorized rhetoric
[01:04.083]About it being God's way
[01:06.494]If I don't follow the Good Book
[01:09.140]There'd be some hell to pay
[01:11.398]
[01:12.036]I don't blame you how you turned out
[01:15.134]A habit's hard to break
[01:18.076]You were born into what you became
[01:21.212]And I was born this way
[01:23.819]I can try to show compassion
[01:27.053]Before you take that shot
[01:30.019]Out here in the open
[01:34.189]Whether I like it or not
[01:36.529]
[01:59.638]Driving back from a party
[02:02.044]With friends on a Saturday night
[02:05.022]I slowed down to a wreckage
[02:07.414]In the coldest part of night
[02:10.761]That boy who called me faggot
[02:13.910]Lie bleeding, almost dead
[02:16.800]He wrecked that truck from drinking
[02:19.278]And the windshield met his head
[02:21.767]
[02:22.361]Well I pulled him from the driver seat
[02:25.543]Said help is on its way
[02:28.297]Put my hand up upon his chest
[02:31.271]And said it'll be okay
[02:34.137]When he focused on my likeness
[02:37.159]I could see it in his eyes
[02:40.001]Everything he'd been taught to hate
[02:43.055]Would finally save his life
[02:45.217]
[02:46.127]And the irony about this
[02:49.082]I told him with a smile
[02:51.919]Your God must work in stranger ways
[02:54.697]Than your heart will allow
[02:57.759]He caught his breath between the tears
[03:00.778]His eyes bloodshot and dim
[03:04.129]His rebel-flag, tattooed hand
[03:06.597]Holding mine to his
[03:08.517]
[03:08.675]He said please don't blame me for how I turned out
[03:12.365]I learned a little late
[03:15.117]I was born into what I became
[03:18.068]And you were born this way
[03:20.777]I can try to show compassion
[03:24.243]That might be all I've got
[03:27.217]Out here in the open
[03:34.233]Whether I like it or not
[03:36.615](Instrumental Outro)