They don't know me but they try They lie awake and wonder Why I am the way I am and I don't wanna take the money For the lessons on the piano And I don't wanna leave 'em I don't wanna let them go But I can't let them know They've been kind and they still are Wanna see me go real far With what I wanna do But I can't tell 'em what I really wanna do And it kinda makes 'em crazy And it makes me crazy too I guess that they're a lot like me Now, my father is a good man He's a strong man and a kind man And he always tells me what to do about my car And, daddy, when I really need you There you are And my mother's kinda sentimental Tells me not to be so temperamental 'Cause things aren't quite as serious As I always think they are But they forget I'm getting older And the world is so much colder Than it ever was at home And like my father needs my mother And my mother needs my dad I am needing something now Something that they never had And I don't wanna take the money For the lessons on the piano And I don't wanna leave 'em I don't wanna let them go But I can't let them know I just can't let them know