A Proud Man
1939 was a time when soul was born; he was the next kin of mine
In a time when races was torn, and only the sin would shine.
I vowed the love in my line wouldn't suffer, cuz I grew up with nothin'
Groomed, spit polished & buffered, yet all I needed was lovin'.
But my past is begrudgin' & forgotten, faded pictures & tales
There's never no stoppin' the rottin', naked whispers have failed.
At first, he wailed in the choir but always aimed to do higher
He never sang in my church, still he set the roof on fire.
Fans won't let old truths expire, when it gets putrid and harder
The Reverand will constantly be known as an abusive Father.
& the insults were rather hurtful - but true, for the few who know me
Joining the air force with no views, can only a make a kid lonely.
If only, he didn't leave.. I didn't need him to go, or persevere
I just wanted to make clear, that I was actually trying here.
& it'll always be a dying fear of his Mother, that a Brother didn't try
Son I won't lie.. you're all I ever needed for me to get by.
I had to watch your soul die, & it killed me in a way I can't describe
Tammi had an affect on you that money couldn't buy.
So when cancer took her aside, you had no answers to appease
You lost so much belief, you may aswell of had the disease.
& the years browned with the leaves - for a recluse lay in tears
You gave up and gathered the rope for a noose made of beer.
A suffocated atmosphere, brought out the love and hate in you
You'd abuse me over the phone, & label me a blatant fool.
Alone, and escape is due, my own son begged for a release
What's going on?
I never thought I'd be here to see my son rest in peace.
For I religiously keep a control, and pray for hours but I'm powerless
See, I brought you into this world, for God to take you out of it.
From a neautral perspective, or for detectives on the scene
It look like homicide with a shotgun, & a killing that had been.
& a killing it was, for shots and circumstances don't mix
But this wasn't a convict, commiting crime for a slow fix
As he carried ahold a crucifix, & what the police was told
"Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.. was dead to me a long time ago".
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Judge how you want..