Tough(er) Son

Generally, there are two paths men abandoned their fathers take
Hurt and anger or success and achievement
Either in excess can damage oneself and others

To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined
To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined

To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined
To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined

Just because you had a bad dad
Doesn't mean you're gonna turn out to be a bad dad
Just because you had a bad dad
Doesn't mean you're gonna turn out to be a bad dad

It's tough son as I talk to you
I see some of the tough stuff that you're going through
You got a beautiful heart, that's from knowing you
I hope you're hearing mine and what I am showing you
I see you at times wanting to go ballistic
Calm and chill, don't become a statistic

Mean people, evil and sadistic
A lie and the truth they'll mix it and twist it
I taught you a different way to win the fight
Through depth of understanding, deep insight
Doing what's right
Keeping ya game tight
And how to survive a season of night

To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined
To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined

And yea, you gotta hit them books
No crooks
Or drugs to hook
Lives were shortened or took
Keep ya focus past mean stares and looks
Sometimes you must study, perhaps even cram
Life lessons not on a test or exam

I know today there's a lot of focus on bling
Possessions and things
Deep debt really stings
So much to do, so much to teach
The fix when the car leaks

To stretch, and deeply reach
Get past hurt when trust is breached
Feed the needy, over dope beats, but never be a host to a leech
Be secure, safe and sound
Know that anger is just hurt turned around

With the ladies, the babies having babies
Avoid gonorrhea, AIDS and the scabies
For sex, baby you gonna have to pay me
You never hear that if you seek out a lady
A lady who know who she is and how to handle her biz
Doesn't keep stuff hid

In actions, words, and deeds to my seed
I believe you can succeed
Tough son

To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined
To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined

To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined
To have balance and overcome challenge
Soar to the heights that you never imagined

Just because you had a bad dad
Doesn't mean you're gonna turn out to be a bad dad
Just because you had a bad dad
Doesn't mean you're gonna turn out to be a bad dad

To men that struggle with this abandonment, keep pushing
His actions or lack thereof do not define you
The man I was told was my father by my mother
Was kind enough to leave me a beautiful voicemail
When I changed career
And though he was not there growing up
This gesture was enough, it's pretty cool
Appreciation

Eli, Fam
Drop that please
Congratulations on your retirement (tough son)
Tony now I see you are a (we out) strong man
And you believe in God, I believe in God

This is Senior calling
Congratulations on 30 years of your retirement
You really have achieved something
30 years of your young life
God has blessed you
And ask God to show you things and He will
Trust him

Happy graduation
I call it graduation
'Cause now you in retirement
Don't sit down and be a senior citizen
Congratulations