Dad said he wanted a boy
held me like a bundle of joy
these days he don't even smile
like I'm cramping his style

"Son, it's not true
of course I love you
but the pressure thing's building again"

Dad's gone AWOL...
absent without leaving

The rub of love
the rub of love

Dad's not talking at all
everything's making him mad
I used to come running to him
now I'm learning to crawl

"Son, get used to the cold
you'll soon have to face it alone
and please stop holding my hand
you're getting too old"

Heard him last night
say "the boy's alright
but the father thing still doesn't fit
gotta find out who I am"

The rub of love...what was that vow you made?
the rub of love...and what about the girl you wed?
she's working double shifts to keep us fed
and that's the rub

Dad says he sorted it out
got himself a better career
had himself a new baby boy
another bundle of joy

Every other week on visiting day
I get tolerated by his new wife
I swear, if he ever really held me
they'd have to pry me off with the jaws of life

The rub of love
the rub of love

The rub of love...what was that vow you made?
the rub of love...was I too much to bear?
dad, do you even care?
that is the rub