Every generation 
Blames the one before 
And all of their [bad word] [bad word] beating on your door 

I know that I'm a prisoner 
To all my Father held so dear 
I know that I'm a hostage 
To all his hopes and fears 
I just wish I could have told him in the living years 
 [bad word] bits of paper 
Filled with imperfect thoughts 
Stilted conversations 
I'm afraid that's all we've got 

You say you just don't see it 
He says it's perfect sense 
You just can't get agreement 
In this present tense 
We all talk a different language 
Talkin' in defense 

Say it loud, say it clear 
You can listen as well as you hear 
It's too late when we die 
To admit we don't see eye to eye 

So we open up a quarrel 
Between the present and the past 
We only sacrifice the future 
It's the bitterness that lasts 

So Don't yield to the fortunes 
You sometimes see as fate 
It may have a new perspective 
On a different date 
And if you don't give up, and don't give in 
You may just be O.K. 

Say it loud, say it clear 
You can listen as well as you hear 
It's too late when we die 
To admit we don't see eye to eye 

I wasn't there that morning 
When my Father passed away 
I didn't get to tell him 
All the things I had to say 

I think I caught his spirit 
Later that same year 
I'm sure I heard his echo 
In my baby's new born tears 
I just wish I could have told him in the living years 

Say it loud, say it clear 
You can listen as well as you hear 
It's too late when we die 
To admit we don't see eye to eye 

Say it loud, say it clear 
Say it loud 
Don't give up 
Don't give in 
And don't know what you can do next