Red-Tipped Man

## Red-Tipped Man

(Verse 1)
The engine roared, a thunderous plea
Against the man he used to be
He packed a bag, a leather vest
Left the ghosts he couldn't rest
That old man's fist, a bitter stain
Left its mark in the pouring rain
A kickstart prayer, a cloud of smoke
A promise he would not be broke
Riding on the line between
The monster and what might have been
A crimson helmet, a flash of red
To hide the pain inside his head

(Chorus)
He's the red-tipped man on a rusted steel horse
Racing down a lonely, desperate course
With a haunted look and a heavy soul
He's a broken man who's lost control
The red-tipped man, a fading star
Burning out with a silent scar

(Verse 2)
"At least I'm not my father," he'd declare
As he'd watch her stand there with a vacant stare
He'd criticize the food she'd make
And belittle every choice she'd take
A subtle jab, a whispered slur
A constant weight, a binding blur
He'd chip away at who she was
Because of all the pain he'd cause
He wouldn't raise a hand to her
But the scars he left would never blur

(Chorus)
He's the red-tipped man on a rusted steel horse
Racing down a lonely, desperate course
With a haunted look and a heavy soul
He's a broken man who's lost control
The red-tipped man, a fading star
Burning out with a silent scar

(Bridge)
He'd grab the phone from the baby's hand
Then yell at his boy just to understand
"Pick that up! Now look at me!"
His father's voice, you see, was his destiny
He’d tell them to toughen up, to not be weak
They’d cower and they wouldn’t speak
Is the apple supposed to fall from that tree?
Or can we plant some peaches and be free?
The chain-link fence, the cracked concrete
The bitter taste of past defeat
The same old story, the same old sound
As it echoes on the sacred ground

(Chorus)
He's the red-tipped man on a rusted steel horse
Racing down a lonely, desperate course
With a haunted look and a heavy soul
He's a broken man who's lost control
The red-tipped man, a fading star
Burning out with a silent scar

(Outro)
He's the red-tipped man, the red-tipped man
The red-tipped man...
The red-tipped man, he's just a boy...
He's the red-tipped man
And he's riding away...
He's riding away...
He's riding away.

Acoustic Ballad