Roots And Wings
The Wallflowers Lyrics

You're such a heavy bird
You are someone who is burdened by life circumstances and cannot fly on their own

You'd never get far on your own
You lack the ability to make meaningful progress solely based on your own actions

You'll never have a use for your feathers
You have potential but do not have the means or the inclination to utilize it

While you're hopping down the road
You are making a slow, unsteady progress in life

Yeah, you were born to walk the earth
You have strengths and abilities that are suited to living a modest, down-to-earth life

Yeah, with your back against the cold
You are struggling to maintain your footing and stay warm in a harsh world

And no you never had a purpose
You have not yet discovered your true potential or purpose in life

'Til I wore you on my back like a coat
I gave you the support and guidance you needed to find direction and meaning in life

You're in your evening gloves
You've changed your lifestyle and surroundings, distancing yourself from your past

You're off the farm taking big city drugs
You've left behind your humble background for the glamour and temptations of city life

No matter how far you get, now let it sink in
Despite your achievements, you should remember where you came from

That I gave you roots and baby, I gave you wings
I helped you find your grounding and also the freedom and confidence to pursue your goals

And I showed you how to swing
I taught you how to take risks and make bold moves in life

Yeah, I showed you how to strut
I helped you develop confidence in yourself and your abilities

That's my mojo you're using
Your success has been influenced by the guidance and support I have provided you

That's my wine getting you drunk
Your newfound success and glamour has been fueled by the influence I have had on your life

And it was I that broke you in
I was the one who helped you break free from your old patterns and ways of living

I got you clean, clipped and cut
I helped you develop a more polished and refined image, helping you fit in to your new surroundings

And you're a mule among horses, I took you
I helped level the playing field for you, providing you with opportunities despite coming from a more humble background

When God stood you up
When the chips were down and no one else believed in you, I stepped in and gave you the support you needed to succeed

Now tell me who could do more
I can boast of having done more for your success than anyone else could ever have done

Set myself on fire keeping you warm
I have made great sacrifices in order to ensure your success and happiness

And now I'm off the hook and he's on your chin
I have relinquished my role in your life and someone else has taken on that responsibility now

But I gave you roots, yeah baby, I gave you wings
Despite moving on, I still take pride in having helped you become who you are today

Now you've got your looks and your pretty things
You have achieved a level of success and material comfort that most people only dream about

And a new set of chances that I wouldn't give
You have taken new risks and opportunities that I never would have considered for you

Now if you've forgotten, well I'll tell you again
Don't forget that without my guidance and support, you might never have made it this far

That I gave you roots, baby, I gave you wings
I played a vital role in nurturing and developing your talents and skills

Oh, now you're such a heavy bird
Despite all your success, you still carry with you the burdens and traumas of the past

Gave you roots, gave you wings
I provided you with the fundamental support and freedom you needed to succeed

Oh, such a heavy bird
Despite all your success, you still feel weighed down and uncertain at times