My Culture (Radio Edit)

Spoken:
I'm the sum total of my ancestors; I carry their DNA.
We are representatives of a long line of people,
And we cart them around everywhere.
This long line of people,
That goes back to the beginning of time.
And when we meet, they meet, other lines of people.
And we say, bring together the lines of me.

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 dies.
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 plan to be,
Within me my ancestory givin' me continuity.

Would it be remiss to continue in this way?
Would you rather I quit? Come with that 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 write rhymes, cos 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 grandfather's face,
In his resting place.
I made haste to learn and not waste
Everything my forefathers earned in tears,
For my culture.

Chorus:
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 name Rob
I'm the one who landed the popstar's job.
I'm the one who you told look, don't touch.
I'm the kid who wouldn't amount to much.

I believe in the sense of sight and sound.
I have always been too loud.
Won't you help me drown it out?
And what I feel, what I'm feeling is surreal.
I'm a mass of spinnin' wheels
Always digging in my heels.
Now I've got the faith to...

Chorus:
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again.

Ha, lace up your booty,
Going back to your roots.
Speaking to my ghetto youths, freak freakin for loot.
And nice things, better check what your future brings,
It's now and your forefathers further know how.
Go now into the world without hatred.
Use your head.
If the needle is wise be the thread,
And weave ancestral wisdom, yours by birth,
Spreading the Lord's word over this broad earth.

This is what my Daddy told me.
I wished he'd a 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 grandfather's face,
In his resting place.
I made haste to learn and not waste
Everything my forefathers earned in tears,
For my culture.

Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
(For my culture)

Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
(For my culture)