Hidden underneath her clothes where no one else could check,
they coursed around her body- arms stomach and neck
The bruises that adorned her were tattoos of rage and shame
Put there by a cowardly sot that barely knew his name

All she wanted was a family, her man herself and kids
to form a family unit like her mom and daddy did
She defended him at every turn, despite the things we saw
And only saw the good in him whenever things went wrong.

What little he worked he spent on ***, and ***** to wash it down
soon after came the little pills, and then the party crowds
their budget tight and still he spent, taking her pay in the night
"My money is mine and your money is ours" as though that made it all alright

I wanted so badly to shake him, and perhaps as a child someone did
to get him to see his folly, but I refrained at her behest
Though it boiled my blood and seared my soul I checked myself through it all
That was, until the night we got that fateful call

Daddy please come get me, come as quick as you can
He'd put her out on the side of the road, and beat her like a man
Patches of hair were missing, blood dripping down her face
her clothes were ripped and rent, very little left in place

I gave him back what he'd given her, all four years and more
I guess it was too much to bear now my chaplain's at the cell door
My daughter's doing fine I'm told as we walk that last green mile
Was it worth it as they strap me down, I just nod my head and smile

I feel the needle ***** my arm, feel the nerves go dead
My brain the last thing to go, she's uppermost in my head
Some might see a pitiful waste, but I see perfect sense
I gave my all, the torch is yours - End Domestic Violence!!