[Verse 1]
Why didn't anyone believe
A single word when you said it was
It was your father's friend?
Yeah, only 14, life goes on
Who knows, you prob'ly brought this on yourself
It's better not to tell

[Chorus 1]
Mother, mother, how many tears have you cried?
Mother, mother, I will listen to you tonight, to the truth
Mother, how many years before you could breathe?
Mother, I won't turn away when you speak
I'm listening, I'm listening

[Verse 2]
To a daughter now it happens too
Freshman year, he's waiting in your bed
Suppose to be a friend
You tried to forget the way you felt
You fought, but he forced himself on you
He left you black and blue

[Chorus 2]
Sister, why did nobody trust your cries?
Sister, I will listen to you tonight, to the truth
Sister, you are braver than you believed
Together we will find a way to healing
I'm listening, I'm listening
[Bridge]
And brother, where could you go?
Honestly, we don't know what to do
When a teacher takes what he took from you
And brother, where could you run?
Shame turned you silent and made a prison
Could you learn to speak again
If we were only listening?

[Chorus 3]
Brother, there is freedom for you to cry
Brother, I will listen to you tonight, to the truth
Brother, I pray you can begin to breathe
Brother, please don't be afraid to speak
I'm listening, I'm listening, oh
I'm listening, I'm listening
I'm listening