-appears on Heavy Machinery (1995)
THE LYRICS:
Shut out all the curtains
Block out the light from inside me
Pull me down like a shade
Because you are afraid
To stand beside me
Kick me in the knees
Act like I am diseased
You won’t go near me
You can just live with it
It’s part of me so deal with it…
I’m not like the other boys
Am I your shooting range now?
So I’m not no football star
Should one hide part of who they are
Because it’s safe?
You wanna brand me like a cow
Put a scarlet letter on my face
Make me feel lonely and out of place
You can just live with it
It’s part of me so deal with it
Chorus:
Declaration Day
I’m not ashamed of who I am
Declaration Day
I am proud of who I am
Words inhibit me
You wanna exhibit me as the wrong of the world
But no matter what you say
You cannot throw me away
For the way that I was born…
(Deal with it…deal with it)
I do not shout it out loud
Still I’m the leper in the crowd
You won’t go near me…
And just because I am your friend
I don’t wanna jump in your bed
You won’t accept me
And if you’re gonna slam me down
I do not want you around
Just to mock me
You can just live with it
It’s part of me so deal with it
I am not pretend
Self-awareness is not a trend
It should help you to grow
You wanna box me in
Say I’m living sin
Who said I’m living my life for you…?
You do not choose your eyes
You do not choose your face
(I am proud of who I am)
You do not choose your family
You do not choose your race
(I am proud of who I am)
You do not choose your eyes
You do not choose your skin
(Be proud of who you are)
Don’t crucify me
For the body I was born in…
Repeat Chorus
I am not you enemy
Your hate is…