silhouettes above the cradle hold me down  they won't let me go the wrong way  my mother taught me all the fables, told me how  in the end all the sinners have to pay   but...    [Chorus:]  i don't wanna live like my mother  i don't wanna let fear rule my life  and i don't wanna live like my father  i don't wanna give up before i die    he worked so hard his bones are breaking  he wore them down but long ago he lost the feeling  his good intentions leave me shaking, show me how  i don't ever want to end up like he did  and...    [Chorus]    when i have kids  i won't put any chains on their wrists, i won't  i'll tell them this  there's nothing in this world that you can't be if you want it enough    [Chorus x2]