Dad said he wanted a boy
Held me like a bundle of joy
These days, don't even smile
Like I'm cramping his style

Son, it's not true
Of course I love you
But the pressure keeps building again
Dad's gone AWOL
Absent without leave, and

The rub of love

Dad's not talking at all
Everything's making him mad
Used to come running to him
Now I'm learning to crawl

Son, get used to the cold
You'll soon have to face it alone
Please stop holding my hand
You're getting too old

Heard him last night
Say, "The boy's all right
But the father thing still doesn't fit
Gotta get away for awhile
Gotta find out who I am"

The rub of love
What was that vow you made?
What about the girl you wed?
Worked double shifts to keep us fed

Dad says he sorted it out
Got himself a better career
Had himself a new baby boy
Another bundle of joy

Every other week, on visiting day
I get tolerated by his new wife
I swear if you ever really held me
They'd have to pry me off with the jaws of life

The rub of love
What was that vow you made?
Was that too much to bear?
Dad, do you really even care?
That isn't love