I was sittin' in that courtroom

With chains around my feet

Signed my name on that line

Agreein' we'd never meet

I ain't proud of how I lived

I ain't proud of what I did

But I prayed they'd give you

The life I never could

I'm singing to you, boy

You'll never know my name

I left so you'd have a chance

Of not livin' with my shame

If this world gets too heavy

And you feel like you might break

Just know I walked away, son

So you'd never share my fate

Got your birthday on my arm

Ink burnin' hotter every year

Some nights, I trace it slowly

'Til the numbers disappear

I imagine what you look like

If you laugh the way I do

I pray the man beside you

Gives the love I never knew

I'm singing to you, boy

You'll never know my name

I left so you'd have a chance

Of not livin' with my shame

If this world gets too heavy

And you feel like you might break

Just know I walked away, son

So you'd never share my fate

I ain't askin' you to find me

Ain't even expectin' you to try

But if you ever wonder

Why I had to say goodbye

It wasn't 'cause I didn't love you

It's 'cause I wanted you

To have a better life

I'm singing to you, boy

You'll never know my name

I left so you'd have a chance

Of not livin' with my shame

If this world gets too heavy

And you feel like you might break

Just know I walked away, son

So you'd never share my fate