My Captain

O captain, my captain

You have said to seize the day

And I have

You have said to follow your dreams

And I have

You have taught me everything I need to know

But why doesn’t it help me

I still have been told I am wrong

Shall I listen to them and not follow you

My captain please teach me the final lesson

That will help them understand

O captain, my captain

They do not listen

It is for them and not for me

Captain teach them what you taught me

It will help them and me

Teach the final message for all can understand

If I leave your ideas captain

If they win, Captain

I shall lose

I will lose everything

My dreams and your ideas will be lost

I do not want to lose

I will not lose hope

I will follow my ideas

Not theirs’

I will follow my hopes and dreams

I will listen to your ideas Captain

I will take yours and use them in mine

They will understand

They will hate me and you

But they will soon believe too

If not, I shall understand the choice

O captain, my captain

My life has changed due to your lessons

My dreams are coming true

Not theirs’

I can now follow them

Not their ideas for me

The final lesson has taught me truth

I can follow my dreams and ideas

O captain, my captain

I thank you

For all the lessons that have changed the world

For what you have taught me and for what you have taught them

I shall follow my ideas and become what I want

Not their ideas for me

I can now be myself

I can now speak for myself

I can now follow my dreams and ideas