Martyr\'s Pose

You've lived your whole life in this role
 Father checked out prematurely, mother drank away her soul
 You became the whipping boy for an angry, bitter man
 When you see this much this young you learn to cope as best youcan
 The trick's to look remorseful, but never shoulder any blame
 Condition their responses, that's the way to play the game
 Crocodile tears stream from your eyes
 Shoot an anguished look up at the sky
 Then it's arms outstretched, and a southbound nose
 Your defensive stance
 Your martyr's pose
 It's now your nature, it fits you like a second skin
 You adopt your tortured posture when you feel their
 patiencewearing thin
 Tell me how much alienation
 How much bitterness have you tasted
 How many years were wasted trying to turn dead roses red
 You typecast yourself in this role - your martyr's pose