verse :
G
i Am not my family tree
C
these are different leaves , you know
Em
there are miles and miles between
D
my roots and what i’m tryin’ to grow
G
i Am not the slave they sold
C
nor Am i royalty
Em D
worn them both the finest coat ,
G
and rags that barely covered me

chorus :
Em
but there’s mercy in the soil
C
mercy in the sun
G
learnin’ to forgive
D
what cannot be undone
Em
what was meant to harm
C
can’t harm you in the end
G
stepped out on a limb i thought my break
D
but love said ,
Em
it will only bend
C
it will only bend

verse
G
i Am not my past mistakes
C
labeled by some place in time
Em
nor Am i a trophy case
D
tryin’ to maintain my shine
G
i have dreamed a thousand dreams
C
watch a grain in famine grow
Em
i Am not my family tree
D
i have branches of my own

bridge :
G D
oh , does fate resign us too?
Em
find shelter for our wounds
C
beneath the battered roof of broken dreams
G D
oh , but i will choose to stand
Em
in the shadow of your hand
C
and see what grows when grace has sown the seed

( slow down strum ) Em

C G D
oh , oh , oh
Em
these are different leaves , you know
C G D
oh , oh , oh