Authoritarian

Daddy may have loved you, with his iron-fisted hand,

But, of course, he wouldn't show it; he was too much of a man;

And when you cried and feared the dark, he knit his mighty brow,

And spelled you into silence; it was enough, somehow;

On sissy's hand, that special night, a promise ring he placed;

Her body, known to Daddy, to all other men was chaste;

And Mommy always knew her role, she never raised her voice,

She sat, contented, at his feet; his glory was her choice;

And he prayed, he prayed; Oh, how he prayed!

He kept his eyes shut tight;

The Lord would surely love him,

If he prayed with all his might;

The ever-rushing river swept you on around the bend,

No more prostrate before the throne, the time came to ascend;

And though you fear the darkness still, you've learned a trick or two:

The click of heels, the upraised arm; through fear, respect accrue;

And keep your eyes upon the prize, forsake the inward gaze,

You've learned the truth: that those who doubt cast worlds in shaded grays;

So bow to those above you when they look on you and frown,

And those below be sure to show how much they've let you down;

And you pray, you pray; Oh, how you pray;

You pray with all your might;

The Lord will surely love you,

If you keep your eyes shut tight!