White Wing Mercy

White wing mercy, I don't wanna stay here
White wing mercy, don't you leave me here

It was passed among the rest of them
While playin' cards and playin' friends
That some of us are crazy
With a voice that knew who
I tied up all my laces
I covered up my faces
And starin' in the mirror
I'd dare to wonder who

Was it my father with his hunting kit
Was it my mother with her hitting stick
Was it my auntie who was always sick
Or was it me? That was my biggest fear
I wouldn't look at anybody in the eyes
I was afraid they would realize
I was a crazy in a kid's disguise
And they wouldn't let me go to summer camp next year

How they never gave my growth a rest
At my etiquette or at my breast
Humility, the hidden test -- I played along

But goin' through my day-to-day
I felt sure there was another way
I was wonderin' the price I paid to belong

I left my father as only daughters can
I chose to see him as a monster of a man
I left my mother in her frameless cage
But never could I shake her rage

Now you with your visions
And you with your fancies
And you with your stories
I couldn't understand
My childhood adored you
And naked before you
I stand as a witness, as timeless as sand

White wing mercy, carry me away
I hear them singin' clear from over here
White wing mercy, I don't want to stay here
White wing mercy, don't you leave me here