Started when I was 23, actin' like my daddy I know, I know I recognize parts of you in me, the parts that can't find peace My soul feels old I made decisions to prove I was different But you follow me like a ghost Now I'm a little bit lit and I'm pleading the fifth As I'm making a toast People say I look like you They say that I got your eyes My mother says I'm tough like you Even in the ways that she don't like And I can't change it, didn't choose my blood But I made up my mind But I don't want to be like you But either way, I got you in my DNA My DNA I try to just play pretend like I didn't fall apart again I'm lonely, like am I the only one? When blocking out the shame stops working Can't you tell, can't you tell that I'm hurting? Hold me, if you love me, come show me Found myself down on the pavement No matter which way that I turned, I was low But you went before me and traveled the stories To places I shouldn't go People say I look like you They say that I got your eyes My mother says I'm tough like you Even in the ways that she don't like And I can't change it, didn't choose my blood But I made up my mind But I don't want to be like you But either way, I got you in my DNA My DNA My DNA My DNA The t-shirt you gave me in '96 It's bleached and it's faded, but it still fits And I know that you thought that you fucked up 'Cause I used to too, but then I grew up Now I'm the same age you were when you had me And I'm not ready to be anybody's daddy You and I, we both sing the same blues I wish that you were here so I could thank you I know that I look like you I see it in my own two eyes My mother says I'm tough like you Even in the ways I know she likes And I'm not angry, didn't choose my blood But I made up my mind I know that I'm just like you 'Cause either way, I got you in my DNA My DNA My DNA My DNA My DNA