I Never Expected

I spent a year teaching you how to ride
So you could race with the wind, with nothing to hide
Watched you smile, as you learned to be free
But I never thought it'd end with you leaving me
I spent years teaching you how to speak
So you could stand tall and never feel weak
But the words I gave you weren't bulletproof
You never made it home from school

I showed you how to fly, how to stand
But the world tore you right from my hands
All the lessons, all the care
And now nothing I can ever do will ever put you there

I taught you how to run, so you could play
But I never thought you'd run away that day
I taught you how to fight, to stand up strong
But I never thought the world could go so wrong
I gave you all my love, hoping it'd be enough
But I didn't know the world would be so damn rough
I spent years teaching you to live
But I never expected this

I spent years teaching you to live
But I never expected this
I spent years teaching you about right and wrong
So you could be brave, so you could be strong
Taught you to love the skin you're in
But the world cut you down for your color or your kin
I showed you pride, I showed you peace
But hatred swept in like a thief
Your smile disappeared in the blink of an eye
Taken by those who never cared who or why

I showed you how to fly, how to stand
But the world tore you right from my hands
All the lessons, all the care
And now nothing I can ever do will ever put you there

I taught you how to run, so you could play
But I never thought you'd run away that day
I taught you how to fight, to stand up strong
But I never thought the world could go so wrong
I gave you all my love, hoping it'd be enough
But I didn't know the world would be so damn rough
I spent years teaching you to live
But I never expected this

I spent a lifetime teaching you about hope
So you could hold on and learn how to cope
I taught you peace, I taught you light
But the world threw you into the darkest fight
I sent you off, praying you'd be safe
But war doesn't care about how much I love your face
You never came home, never returned
Just a folded flag so many lessons unlearned

I taught you how to run, so you could play
But I never thought you'd run away that day
I taught you how to fight, to stand up strong
But I never thought the world could go so wrong
I gave you all my love, hoping it'd be enough
But I didn't know the world would be so damn rough
I spent years teaching you to live
But I never expected this

I spent years trying to keep you whole
But this world, it took its toll
I never saw it coming, never knew the cost
Of raising a child in a world so lost
Whether bullets, bombs, or hate's cruel kiss
None of us ever expected this

I taught you how to run, so you could play
But I never thought you'd run away that day
I taught you how to fight, to stand up strong
But I never thought the world could go so wrong
I gave you all my love, hoping it'd be enough
But I didn't know the world would be so damn rough
I spent years teaching you to live
But I never expected this

No, I never expected this
Never expected this