Father Figures

Lyrics

[Intro] It's very important to me that whatever I have to say is worth saying Truth teller, truth yeller Proof, Evi-dence, yes, yes It's very important to me that whatever I have to say is worth saying Uh-huh [Verse 1] Full grown father of four still in search of father figures Hard to feel at home here in the body that my trauma lives in Self-hatred still my opposition I chop a parcel out the wisdom I've been given out atop the rhythm I'm not a victim or a liar and I'm not afraid Offer me a kingdom, if it's wrong, I'll walk away I know my talent versus fame isn't adding up Folk that know me throwin' shade said I ain't wanted it bad enough Seen so many change and get strange for the spotlight If that's what you mean brother, you couldn't be more right I'd rather feel shame than an atom's weight of arrogance Mention deaths name, prepared for it, ain't fearing it Atheists describe the God that they don't believe in See we ain't even at odds cause I don't feel that neither I know we come from a source that's much realer A cause that all the sleepers keep concealing, seekers overcome the amnesia [Chorus] Feel the heartbreak bleeding all through my songs My Atmosphere brothers brought me along I carry on for the love of love, and for the hope of hope I feel it from above, and hold the moment close Soak up the rawness, floating all through my songs The Al Taw'am twins kept me strong, I soldier on For the love of love, and for the hope of hope I catch a sudden buzz, an overdose [Verse 2] I got a knock up on my door, it was the FBI "Can't come inside without a warrant but I'll talk here on the steps awhile" They want to question my travelin', what's the harassment? Power obsessed authoritarians detest what I'm channelin He said his mission keep the innocent from dying Had to laugh a little bit to keep from crying I sigh as if we don't know about the COINTELPRO And devilish drones that rain hell into homes Never an empire rose without blood on its hands and face They hate the poets for exposing to channel the rage Sacred space whether I'm in Iran or Lebanon Or the southside of Chicago or Sudan The power in the song is the truth not the performer My question for you is where's the honor In bothering a father in his home in pajamas on his birthday In front of all his daughters, next time call the lawyer [Chorus 2] I'm part of this resistance, blistering through my song The great Chuck D kept me strong Sound the alarm, for the love of love, and the hope of hope This is what justice does, put you in their scope My steadfastness, blastin' this dope ass song Cornel West never led me wrong I soldier on, for the love of love, and for the hope of hope For every one of us, that hold the rope that won't be broke, nope [Interlude] Truth teller, truth yeller Bring it back though let me finish [Verse 3] I'm from a long line of writers and teachers And spend all of my time with guides and seekers And criminals and preachers Sifting through the secrets just to kick 'em through your speakers These tears just flowing my whole life long Look in the mirror, still see my mom I'm writing songs for the love of love, and for the hope of hope This is from dusk to dusk, and pray they hold me close, ghost [Outro] Truth teller, truth yeller Proof, Evi-dence, yes, yes Manifest in the flesh to be the best of the best Uh, true living, proof giving Ya-Jel'ali la tansani