"Heroes Are But Mortals" is a poignant ballad that explores the complex relationship between a father and son. The narrative unfolds through the son's disillusionment as he realizes his father, whom he idolized as a hero, is merely an ordinary man with ordinary flaws. The father, a product of his upbringing, fails to meet the son's expectations, leading to a deep-seated resentment that the son carries into adulthood. The ballad underscores the universal human condition of imperfection, even in those we may have held in high esteem.
In a world so ordinary, lived a boy with dreams so grand,
His father, his hero, he thought, with strength in every hand.
He saw him as a titan, a beacon in the night,
A figure of perfection, who could never lose a fight.
But heroes are but mortals, in an ordinary world,
Their flaws and their mistakes, like banners, are unfurled.
And the boy, his heart was shattered, his idol was but a man,
An ordinary father, doing the best he can.
The father, a product of his time, a bigot in his ways,
A prisoner of his upbringing, lost in a partisan haze.
He didn't know what he didn't know, a better father to be,
His ignorance, a shackle, from which he couldn't flee.
But heroes are but mortals, in an ordinary world,
Their flaws and their mistakes, like banners, are unfurled.
And the boy, his heart was shattered, his idol was but a man,
An ordinary father, doing the best he can.
Twice the father left his son, twice the wound was made,
Twice the boy was abandoned, twice his trust betrayed.
The scars were deep, the pain was real, forgiveness was denied,
The boy became a man, with a heartache he couldn't hide.
For heroes are but mortals, in an ordinary world,
Their flaws and their mistakes, like banners, are unfurled.
And the man, his heart was hardened, his father was but a man,
An ordinary figure, who failed his only plan.
In the end, the hero fell, an ordinary man was he,
A father, flawed and human, as clear as day to see.
The son, he never forgave, the wounds were just too deep,
In an ordinary world, where even heroes weep.
