I was five when my daddy taught me how to untie a noose

I can remember my little hands fumbling with the rope

Growing tired, growing sleepy, my fingers stung

Then my daddy struck me and said, “Pay attention boy, your life is at stake.”

So, I listened and learned

I was six when my daddy taught me how to strengthen my neck

Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours

My muscles strained, till I grew weary

Then my daddy struck me and said, “Pay attention boy, your life is at stake.”

So, I listened and learned

I was seven when my daddy taught me how to play dead

It was hard to breathe, the rope stung around my neck, my vision growing blurry

Then my daddy struck me and said, “Pay attention boy, your life is at stake.”

So, I listened and learned.

I was ten when my family escaped

We ran through the darkness as the stars screamed

Hounds got daddy, men got mommy

Then finally me

I was to be hanged

Coarse rope clung to my neck, my feet dangled in the air.

People watched, their eyes twinkling like the stars

I strengthen my neck

Some left

I played dead

They all left

I untied the noose

The stars laughed

I escaped.