My Culture

[Ver1:]
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.

[Ver2:]
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.

[Ver2:]
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.