Story Behind The Song

The song is a cautionary tale between father and son about the inherent risks of leading a life of crime, using the imagery of flying bullets to drive the point home. In the end, armed robbery costs the father his life, but the son reminds the listener to heed his father's advice.

Song Description

"Lead" is a spoken word piece about a career criminal father warning his son about the risks of living the outlaw life. The song goes to a melodic chorus after the first verse, returning to spoken word verses before the final chorus. The track features acoustic and tremolo guitars, with B3 accompaniment.

Lyrics

LEAD AIN'T TOO HEAVY TO FLY
Patterson & Doyle
Copyright 2023

If you look back far enough I bet you're gonna find
Someone in your family did some hard time
In my case I didn't have to look too far
When I was born Daddy was still behind bars

He got out about the time I turned ten
I was stealing bikes with a buddy by then
Just a matter of time before we got ourselves caught
Or picked the wrong house and got ourselves shot

My old man said it was time we had a talk
He could see I was a chip off the old cell block
He said son if you're going down the outlaw road
Here's a few things you probably ought to know

Trust nobody - not even your friends
To save their ass they'll burn you in the end
You need a fast ride when it's time to run
But you're never gonna outrun a radio son
You better hope you never have to pull that gun
The last thing you want to do is kill someone
Make sure you have a fool-proof alibi
And remember - lead ain't too heavy to fly

Daddy had a plan and to fund it he'd rob
Nothing too big just small town jobs
Buy a little spread and live out his life
Well he bought that farm in a Birmingham heist

The county judge saw what I was headed for
He said you can do time or you can join the Corps
It's not like you were born to be a boy scout
So I'm gonna let the Devil Dogs straighten you out

People always tell you like father like son
Maybe it's true but when it's all said and done
Everyone's free to roll their own dice
But you might want to heed the old man's advice

Trust nobody - not even your friends
To save their ass they'll burn you in the end
You need a fast ride when it's time to run
But you're never gonna outrun a radio son
You better hope you never have to pull that gun
The last thing you want to do is kill someone
Make sure you have a fool-proof alibi
And remember - lead ain't too heavy to fly

Remember - lead ain't too heavy to fly
Lead ain't too heavy to fly