What'd your father say to you When he reached right thru you Did he say the things that we had learned From his father too So when do you become your own man Become your own Or are you just a shadow of something whole We are chinese boxes Equal parts sweat and blood Where do i begin and end up Saw those eyes staring right back upon me So tell me what you need I'll be watching out for you There are no enemies Only dangerous friends You grew up very fast I didn't think i'd miss a thing 'course nothing ever lasts A wise old man A wise young fool A wise young man A wise old fool Try to understand (a wise old man, a wise young fool) (notice me, comfort me, understand me) Just try to understand (a wise old man, a wise young fool) (notice me, comfort me, understand me) What'd your father say to you To turn you cold Father never quite grew up He just grew old And if i was to say to you You know i love him still Would you think less of me For him hating me We are chinese boxes Equal parts sweat and blood We are so unconscious Saw those old eyes staring right back at me So try to understand I'm just like you and you are me Exactly who i am Might escape you always For fortunes of a man Are the debts of the son always A wise old man A wise young fool A wise young man A wise old fool