In the Hearts of Men

In the hearts of men
In the arms of mothers
In the parts we play to convince others
We know what we're doing
We're doing it right

May have written books on the subject
But then you may still be surprised
By your tone over the phone
To your sister while waiting in line
At the shopping mall just outside a town

In the hands of teachers
In the books you read
The things you say when we're lost the lead
I still try to speak up but my voice won't make a sound
And I thought it all over too many times

But when there is no use
And the lights are all out
I just give it up and I walk home
Past the shopping mall
That's just closing down

Will you tell yourself,
You all must be what you'll be
Who's to say who is who and what is what
If you simply don't agree
Now, time will come to claim you
And it will have its way
Don't make mistakes and don't regret
Don't waste the time that is left
And then do it all with a goddamn smile

In the hearts of men
In the arms of mothers
In the parts we play to convince others