[Verse 1]
So I took the ring he wore
The ring his father gave to him
It was a precious family heirloom
That I received when I was ten

[Verse 2]
He was proud to be my father
I was glad to be his son
He thought we had an understanding
Until I reached the age of twenty-one

[Chorus]
Please forgive me
But I must be what I am
Please forgive me
Try and understand
Please forgive me
But I must find my own way
I must try to be my own man

[Verse 3]
I always hated moods of silence
When he and I did not agree
And he never sat in conversation
In fear of learning I was me
[Chorus]
Please forgive me
But I must be what I am
Please forgive me
Try and understand
Please forgive me
But I must find my own way
I must try to be my own man

[Verse 4]
So I took the ring he wore
The ring his father gave to him
And placed it gently on his pillow
It's there, that family tradition met its end

[Chorus]
Please forgive me
But I must be what I am
Please forgive me
Try and understand
Please forgive me
But I must find my own way
I must try to be my own man
Please forgive me
But I must be what I am
Please forgive me
Try and understand
Please forgive me
But I must find my own way
I must try to be my own man