Well, my father put his shame on me
Said he wouldn't put his name on me
Said he wouldn't be the first in his family
Whose son cried when he was born
Well, he died the day I got a gun
Said that he was proud that I's his son
That was right there in his plan
I'd grow up and be a man
And there was a tear
I saw it in his eye
He said he couldn't think
Of a better way to die
And the Lord came down
And put a spoon in my mouth
It tasted so bitter
But I couldn't spit it out
It tasted like the money
That my poor momma made
Well, I went an' stole it
'Cause she took it to the grave
And there was a note
Clenched in her right hand
Said, "Boy, if you wanna live
"Better die like a brave man."
Well, I don't wanna die in the middle of the night
I want a brave man's death
I don't wanna die in the middle of the night
I want a brave man's death
Spittin' gasoline, burnin' my teeth
Gettin' salt on the fields of my past
And a sword'll come down with a milky white flash;
I'll get my brave man's death at last
I had a woman
She had some kids
She said she loved them
I never did
Just the way that they feed
And take away what was young
My wife's muscle
Could do what needed to be done
That day that she died
Her cup was fully drained
She said, "Take hope, my love
"That life was worth the pain."
Well, I don't wanna die in the middle of the night
I want a brave man's death
I don't wanna die in the middle of the night
I want a brave man's death
Spittin' gasoline, burnin' my teeth
Gettin' salt on the fields of my past
And a sword'll come down with a milky white flash;
I'll get my brave man's death at last
Had a heart that's willing
But a back without a bone
And a body'd go to war
But my head would come home
And I always had a knife
In case a real man came along
He'd turn his head
And his life was gone
So, I hold it in my heart
Yes, I hold it in my heart
No, I hide it my heart
'Cause it's tearin' me apart
Last thing that he said to me
Was blood was on my hands
God, I wanna die like a man
YEAH!
I don't wanna die. (I don't wanna die.)
I want a brave man's death
I don't wanna die. (I don't wanna die.)
I want a brave man's death
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
Keep it in his right hand
And with his left, to send me death
The death of a brave man
I don't wanna die. (I don't wanna die.)
I want a brave man's death