Taken away

Out of all the gifts God gives me every single day
I think I'm just as grateful for what he's taken away...

He took my dad out of my life when I was just one
When he made my mom his ex-wife I guess I became his ex-son
and I never understood how a man could be so cold
and I hoped he died lonely, and I hoped he died old
but now that I'm older and have kids of my own
I thank my dad for showing me not to leave mine all alone
My dad taught me one lesson without even knowing he did
Every kid should have a dad, and every dad should have their kid

I can remember the day like it was yesterday
The first time God took my freedom away
It might have been my first, but it wouldn't be my last
and I'm not sure why I grew up so fast
and I'm not blaming God, 'cause every crime I did was me
but I know it wasn't the me that I was meant to be
It took a long time before I would finally understand
that I would always slip and fall when I let go of God's hand
Another lesson learned on the wrong side of the track
A day locked away is a day you never get back

Last but not least, and this may seem crazy to say
I thank you, God, for taking my mama away
For having mercy on her in her hours of sorrow
For ending her days with a majestic tomorrow
For lifting her up when she had fallen down
and for taking her life to spare the life of a clown
If she were still here, I know I wouldn't be
I wouldn't be alive, I wouldn't be free
You love me so much, God, that at first I didn't see
You didn't take her from me, you took her for me