march
The Effection Lyrics

Once upon an avenue where the kids do what they want to do
The setting was a street where youngsters had the freedom to do as they please.

And the streets are paved with glue
The road was made up of tar and adhesive.

No one leaves, and nothing good is true
The residents are trapped, and deceit is rampant.

Daddy took the 5:02, he said
The father departed for the 5:02 train while saying.

"Seven years can make a man of you, try and do like the other boys do
Over the years, one could mature, so behaving like others could accelerate this procedure.

Take your licks and hide your black and blues"
Accept the hardships and conceal any wounds.

The only good advice I gave you was
The sole beneficial guidance that he provided was.

"Try to march in time, my son
Attempt to conform, my child.

Don't try to take back your stolen years
Reclaiming past experiences is futile, so focus on the present.

It sounds crazy, but this suicide turns out right if you march in time"
It seems irrational, but this self-destructive path can lead to triumph if you assimilate.

Through the system at age 14
At 14, he entered the bureaucracy.

Social service for a troubled teen, taking tokes out on the green
The teen partook in community service while dealing drugs.

And ditchin' obligation for your social scene
Neglecting duties to engage in social activities.

And all the while, some administrator screams
During this period, an official shouts.

"Try to march in time, my son
Try to conform, my child.

Stand in line and stick with your own crowd
Form a queue and remain with those like you.

We made you what you are, now make us proud and march in time"
We shaped you into the person you are, so conform and make us proud.

I know you vowed you'd never be another social casualty, just like them
He promised that he would not become a victim of social flaws like others.

You hated all the opposition, the silver-spooned competition, and you won't pretend, it's you or them
He despised those who opposed him and individuals who were born into wealth, and he now will not feign otherwise - it is either him or them.

"I've never been one to pray, but I think I've lost my way
Although he isn't religious, he feels lost.

I need these tired eyes to see the light shine"
He wishes to witness hope through his weary eyes.

Twice upon an avenue, another turning of the family screw
A confluence of circumstances like this had previously occurred in this region.

The neighbors all think he looks like you
The neighbors believe that the father and son resemble each other.

Your father's hands will wash his hands of truth
The father will abandon honesty.

Now you take the 5:19
Now, he boards the 5:19 train.

Try and dig some scratch to keep him clean
He must find some money to keep him out of trouble.

Another generation screams, "he'll go on to be someone someday"
Another group of people exclaim that he will be successful.

If only you could find the words to say
If only he could articulate his emotions.

"Try to march in time, my son
Try to conform, my child.

Don't try to take back your stolen years
Reclaiming past experiences is futile, so focus on the present.

It might be crazy, but this suicide never turns out right
It may sound irrational, but this self-destructive behavior leads to no success.

But it will turn out right if you march in time"
But he will succeed if he plays by the rules.