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Not My Father's Son

by Billy Porter

on Billy's Back On Broadway (2014)

When I was just a kid
Everything I did, was to be like him
Under my skin
My father always thought
If I was strong and fought
Not like some albatross, I'd begin
To fit in

Look at me powerless and holding my breath
Trying hard to repress what scared him to death
It was not that easy to be his type of man
To breathe freely was not in his plan
And the best part of me
Is what he wouldn't see

I'm not my father's son
I'm not the image of what he dreamed of
With the strength of Sparta and the patience of Jobe
Still couldn't be the one
To echo what he'd done
And mirror what was not in me

So I jumped in my dreams and found an escape
Maybe I went to extremes of leather and lace
But the world seemed brighter 6 inches off the ground
And the air seemed lighter
I was profound and I felt so proud
Just to live out loud

I'm not my father's son
I'm not image of what he dreamed of
With the strength of Sparta and the patience of Jobe
Still couldn't be the one
To echo what he'd done
And mirror what was not
In me

The endless story of expectations swirling inside my mind
Wore me down
I came to a realization and I finally turned around
To see
That I could just be me

Charlie:
I'm not my father's son
I'm not the image of what he dreamed of

Lola:
With the strength of Sparta and the patience of Jobe

Both:
Still couldn't be the one
To echo what he'd done
And mirror what was not in me

"Lola:"
We're the same Charlie boy, you and me
(Spoken) Charlie from North Hampton, meet Simon from Clackton
"Charlie (spoken):"
Let's make boots.