Genesis

Daniel Pearl (1963-2002)

My father was a Jew, my mother was a Jew,
and yet just what that means for me
I’m not really sure, are you?

To me it’s odd the number who
think somehow it matters, really,
my father was a Jew, my mother was a Jew.

Some would say it’s also true
you’re only who you grow to be,
but I’m not really sure, are you?

Why do we think the things we do?
Why am I someone’s enemy?
My father was a Jew, my mother was a Jew,

of that I’m sure. I am a Jew.
But is heredity identity?
I’m not really sure, are you?

I wish I could say, I wish I knew
just what it means, to put it simply,
my father was a Jew, my mother was a Jew.
I’m not really sure. Are you?