Authentic (Featuring Lamar Williams Jr.)

We don't have to try hard, dick to be authentic
We treat all folks respectfully in our community
We don't want nobody to be hurt or mistreated
And we don't want to see the guns in the streets
Don't need to see the guns in the streets

We have a funny way of speakin' amongst our friends and family
Tellin' tall tales and bad jokes and stretching old stories
We still singing old protest songs and praying for peace
After justice, why are we not all free to breathe

We don't have to try hard, dick to be authentic
We treat all folks respectfully in our community
We don't want nobody to be hurt or mistreated
And we don't need to see the guns in the streets
We don't need to see the guns in the streets

All you hateful people
Take yourself back home

All you kind-hearted people
You're not alone

The old school guitar players took me under they wing
Stompin' feet on front porches all night, we'd play and sing
Now I'm nearly as old as the old timers were then
Time to befriend the young players and do it again

We don't have to try hard, dick to be authentic
We be funky naturally in our community
We don't want anybody to be hurt or mistreated
We don't want to see the guns in the streets

On the American tree of musical roots
Each branch bears a different fruit
Music runs in the blood of our family
In music and love is what I believe
In music and love is what I believe

All you hateful people
Take yourself back home

All you kind hearted people
You're not alone

We got to try hard, dick to be authentic
We treat all folks respectfully in our community
We don't want anybody to be hurt or mistreated
And we don't need to see the guns in the streets
We don't need to see the guns
The guns in the streets
We don't need to see the guns
The guns in the streets
Nobody needs to see the guns
The guns in the streets