What Kind of a Friend

Relationships are incredibly messy. The deepest kind of friendships form—the strongest bonds solidify—when those closest to us hurt us and make us to want to return the hurt but in spite of our pain we step forward and love the other. Mark Heard said it beautifully: “What kind of friend do friends become when the heart says ‘kill’ and the soul says ‘love’?”

"What Kind Of A Friend"
What kind of a friend could pull a knife
When it's him or you and his kids need shoes?
What kind of friend would do you in
When the bomb goes off and the shelter's his?
What kind of friends do friends become
When the musical chairs get down to one?
What kind of friend could I become?
What kind of friend am I?

What kind of friend would tell you lies
To spare you from the bitter truth?
What kind of friend could stoop so low
As to shield your eyes from the mirror's gaze?
What kind of friends do friends become
When a blind eye turns on the damage done?
What kind of friend could I become?
What kind of friend am I?

What kind of friend survives the night
In a frightened sense of self-defence?
What kind of friend can take the ache
Of losing face for friendship's sake?
What kind of friend do friends become
When the heart says "kill" and the soul says "love"?
What kind of friend could I become?
What kind of friend am I?

Written by Mark Heard © 1991 Ideola Music/ASCAP