[verse 1]
The older boys on my street
Heroes I couldn't be
I followed them to that store
Arms full, runnin’ out free
As their cravings grew
They pointed guns
Chained their feet
Well, there's a lot of keys in prison
I'll always keep that with me

Settin’ sail with the band
Laughing incessantly
We kept rowin' when the sails blew down
Called it the SS Family
And with a mantra in my head:
Patience brings harmony
Watchin' that toy boat drown
I'll always keep that with me

[Chorus]
Birth, death, birth, death, dawn

[verse 2]
We built a bridge so we could meet
A landscape I'd never seen
I kept starin' out as the creek ran green
With hurt eyes, I turned for home
Our bridge fell to the creek
And the smell of burning wood
I'll always keep that with me
Next time, I did things different
Operate from a place of peace
My painted gavel shrank down
As I learned to sit with beasts
Oh, how you test my unconditional!
Same day, you severed ties
And how can it somehow be right
When there's so many tears in your eyes?
This forest came from an acorn seed
I’ll always keep that with me

[Chorus]
Birth, death, birth, death, dawn