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 shit
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