612 Southeast Fifth

612 Southeast Fifth

was the address of the church

the house of unforgiveness

the source of all my hurt

I was but an altar boy

for the congregation to see

but there were other things

that happened to me

I thought performing such a service

was a blessing, not a curse

but of all the sins on God's earth

this surely was the worst

I tried my best to put up a fight

I tried to make a stand

against the parish priest'

and the force inside his hands

all the things he did to me

I believed I could ignore

but somewhere in my mind

there was someone keeping score

I held it deep inside me

but it wouldn't go away

and the secret remains hidden

until this very day

save a place in your heart

for the ones who've been damaged

by those who have the power

by those with an advantage

some say serving the lord

could be a person's greatest gift

but I know the real meaning

of 612 Southeast Fifth