Unless You're Readying My Place

I was torn today, but I didn't stay
Down the stairs and out the door,
To the stars and stripes, that sometimes wave
But, if I have my way, no more

"You beat your boy, I know it Mr.
No healthy child will cower like that
I'll find you sometime in the alley, man
And you'll be screamin' like a cat."

I came on home from my school some nights
The air was heavy with her cries
I heard my daddy screaming, "What...."
The flag was still upon its line.

"You beat your boy, I know it Mr.
No healthy child will cower like that
I'll find you sometime in the alley, man
And you'll be screamin' like a cat."

By the time I was eight, I was second base
Most of the days of my life
And the times were sweet, when in a blink
I won the thing for the first time.

"You beat your boy, I know it Mr.
No healthy child will cower like that
I'll find you sometime in the alley, man
And you'll be screamin' like a cat."

The parents stand there cheering, making noise
The smell of cigarettes and grass
You see the arms around the other boys
You're thanked by strangers whom you pass

"You beat your boy, I know it Mr.
No healthy child will cower like that
I'll find you sometime in the alley, man
And you'll be screamin' like a cat."

Through the streets again in the fading light
There's a deep deep well where I'll be safe
Lord I swear to You, don't let her cry
Unless your readying my place

"You beat your boy, I know it Mr.
No healthy child will cower like that
I'll find you sometime in the alley, man
And you'll be screamin' like a cat."