My Culture

When I look back over the years

At the things that brought tears to my eyes

Papa said we have to be wise

To live long lives, now I recognize

What my father said before he died

Vocalize things I've left unsaid

Left my spirit unfed for too long

I'm coming home to my family

Where I can be strong

Be who I planned to be

Within me my ancestry

Givin' me continuity

Would it be remiss to continue in this way

Would you rather, I quit

Come with the other ****

Making people's hips sway

Lip service I pay but I'm nervous

I pray for all the mothers who get no sleep

Like a lifeline, I light lines

'Cause my compassion is deep

For the people who fashioned me my soul to keep

And this is who I happen to be

And if I don't see that I'm strong then I won't be

This is what my daddy told me

I wished he would hold me a little more than he did

But he taught me my culture

And how to live positive

I never wanna shame

The blood in my veins and bring pain

To my sweet grandfathers face

In his resting place

I make haste to learn and not waste

Everything my forefathers earned in tears

For my culture

Fall back again

Crawl from the warm water

For my culture

Water to air, you're on your feet again

Your feet again

Hello dad, remember me?

I'm the man you thought I'd never be

I'm the boy who you reduced to tears

Dad, I'd been lonely for 27 years

Yeah, that's right my names Bob

I'm the one who landed the popstars job

I'm the one who you told, look, don't touch

And the kid who wouldn't amount to much

I believe in the senses out of so