Tracklist
- Stand Tall 2:00IntroDem cyaan push I down, nah, I rise upIron spine inna di fire, watch it light upSteady like di roots weh dig deep, nuh fright, bruvVerse 1Steel toe boots in the concrete jungleTongue sharp, bare knuckle when I rumbleMan step raw, can't fumble, I’m the bundlePressure pon me? Nah, I make it crumbleThey throw shade, I just plant my treesRoots firm, man won't bend to the breezeI move calm but the wrath unleashIf they test, I’m the storm they don’t foreseePrechorusNah bow, nah kneel, mi nah beg friendStand firm like mi backbone cementDem try break but mi nah relentPower in mi chest, mi nah pretendChorusStand tall, roots in di ground, we riseDem fall, flames inna we eyes, igniteStand tall, nah fear no crown, we fightStand tall, oh yeah, stand tallVerse 2Crooked faces, they pray for my stumbleBut I pivot, I spin, let the system tumbleVoice loud like a siren in the tunnelStack truth, double it, leave 'em puzzledBare wolves in the room, but I’m the shepherdSteps measured, cut ties with the lepersMan hold weight, pressure like a wrecking ballStill I stand tall, higher than them allBridgeBrick pon brick, mi a build mi towerDem cyaan topple, mi stand in powerMan fi rise, dem fi cowerLava flow hotta than a summer shower
- Simple Bliss 2:41VerseSunrise painting the skySo boldA mango sweet in my hand to holdBarefoot walking where the rivers flowNo gold no crownJust the earth I knowPrechorusHear the wind hum a tune so sweetFeel the pulse of the earth 'neath my feetChorusSimple blissThat's all I needA little sunA little breezeLife feels rich when it's wild and freeSimple blissIt's enough for meVerse 2The sea is callingIts voice so deepCoconut trees stand tallThey keepThe secrets of time in their swaying leavesNo rushNo raceJust the air I breathePrechorusHear the waves as they kiss the shoreFeel the beat of a heart wanting moreChorusSimple blissThat's all I needA little sunA little breezeLife feels rich when it's wild and freeSimple blissIt's enough for me
- Box and Coconut 3:43IntroMhm-hmm… yeah…Little man… yuh nuh know how yuh save mi life everyday…Verse 1Sun a beat down pon di zinc roof hotMi sit down pon di step, watch mi son a trotOne old cardboard box an’ one dry coconutAn’ to him dat a spaceship, dat a treasure chest, dat a truckHim a laugh so loud, di whole lane can hearHim seh “Daddy look! Mi fly gone a Jupiter!”Mi force a smile, but mi eye dem start fi stingCah mi pocket light, an’ Christmas a come againMi look pon him dirty knee an’ him happy faceAn’ mi heart a whisper, “Yute, mi shame fi gi yuh dis place”Mi want gi yuh bicycle, gi yuh train weh blow steamBut all mi have right now… a box an’ a dreamChorusBox an’ coconut, dat a yuh toyBut yuh play like a king, mi little joyDaddy heart heavy, but yuh mek it lightWhen yuh run come hug mi wid all yuh mightYuh nuh need di world, yuh just need mi timeAn’ mi swear pon mi life, one day yuh go shineVerse 2Him push di box to mi, seh “Daddy, come drive!”Two year old a teach mi how fi feel aliveHim climb inna mi lap, put di coconut inna mi handSeh “Dis a di steering wheel, wi a go foreign land”Mi eye dem wet, but mi hide it quickCah big man nuh fi cry in front a him pickneyBut him look up an’ touch mi face so softAn’ seh “Daddy, no cry… wi rich already, yuh nuh see?”Two little hand dem hold mi beard dem tightAn’ in dat moment, every little thing feel rightHim nuh know bout bill, him nuh know bout rentAll him know a love… an’ dat a hundred percentChorusBox an’ coconut, dat a yuh toyBut yuh play like a king, mi little joyDaddy heart heavy, but yuh mek it lightWhen yuh run come hug mi wid all yuh mightYuh nuh need di world, yuh just need mi timeAn’ mi swear pon mi life, one day yuh go shineBridgeOne day mi ago buy yuh di real train, yuh hear mi?One day wi ago walk inna toy store an’ yuh pick anythingBut right now… dis box ago be wi rocketDis coconut ago be wi microphone when wi singTill den… yuh a di richest yute inna di whole worldCah yuh have a daddy weh love yuh more than everythingFinal ChorusBox an’ coconut, dat a wi treasureYuh laughter worth more than any pleasureDaddy heart full now, cah yuh show mi trueAll di world mi want gi yuh… yuh already gi mi youSo wi ago play till di sun go sleepMy little king… box, coconut… an’ love so deepOutroSleep easy, mi yute…Tomorrow wi ago fly again…Same box… same coconut…An’ di same big love weh nuh have no end.
- Mi Likkle Light 3:02Verse 1Under di mango tree sunNew life just touch dungLikkle heart a knock-knock inna mi chest tooEveryting bright againDi grey done doneChorusMi likkle light, shine, shine, shineYuh a di reason mi heart keep good timeMi likkle light, bright, bright, brightYuh bring di day joy, gi di night sweet lightVerse 2Tiny hand dem hold mi finger tight-tightTwo big eye like star a watch mi tonightLove big like ocean, yet it fit right ya soYuh smile one smile, mi whole world a growPre-ChorusEvery giggle, every crawlMi ago deh deh, mi nah go fallFrom yuh born, mi life start over brand newEveryting start an’ end wid yuh, yuh hear mi boo?ChorusMi likkle light, shine, shine, shineYuh a di reason mi heart keep good timeMi likkle light, bright, bright, brightYuh bring di day joy, gi di night sweet lightBridgeFrom Mountain to sea, mi ago sing yuh name loudThrough thunder, through rain, mi still proudYuh an’ mi forever, tie like bloodlineMy likkle king/queen, forever yuh mineFinal ChorusMi likkle light, shine, shine, shineYuh turn mi dark days to pure sunshineMi likkle light, bright, bright, brightSleep now baby… Daddy/Mummy right ya tonightOutroShine, mi likkle light…Jah know… yuh save mi life.
- Man’s Best Friend 2:15VerseFrom a likkle pup to a bounding kingTiny paws to a heart that could singThrough the yardHim run so freeHim tail a flagWaving for meChorusMan's best friendMi partner trueThrough the sun and the morning dewFrom puppy days to the sky's blue endMemories liveMan's best friendVerse 2Him chase the moonHim chase mi laughLife felt full with him photographEyes like lanternsGlowing brightHim a mi shadowMi dayMi nightPrechorusNow the leash hangs stillThe bowl untouchedBut him spiritMi heart it clutchedChorusMan's best friendMi partner trueThrough the sun and the morning dewFrom puppy days to the sky's blue endMemories liveMan's best friendBridgeI hear him bark in the wind's songFeel him steps when mi walk aloneThe world spins onBut mi heart stayWith him smile from another day
- Forever in Her Eyes 3:10VerseSunrise whisper through de mango treesHer laughter still dances in de breezeForty years like a flash of tideEvery wrinkle on her face a story she can't hideChorusForever in her eyesMi see de skiesDe stormsDe calmDe fire dat never diesForever in her smileMi walk de milesShe’s de rhythmShe’s de songMi sweetest trialVerse 2De kitchen smell of jerk and thymeHer hands weaving love through space and timeDe clock ticks slowBut love moves fastEvery moment wid herA treasure dat will lastPrechorusMi close mi eyesMi hear her humDe melody of life where we come fromChorusForever in her eyesMi see de skiesDe stormsDe calmDe fire dat never diesForever in her smileMi walk de milesShe’s de rhythmShe’s de songMi sweetest trialBridgeOh de years dey stack like sugarcaneSweet and bitterJoy and painBut when she look at meMi heart remainDe boy who love her in de pouring rain
- Graveyard Keeper 2:40Hear di church bell a ring, another soul landBlack suit, white glove, tear a fall pon di sandMi chest get tight, mi swallow down di painCah tomorrow mi still haffi smile againChorusMi a di graveyard keeper, mi sweep away di sorrowMi water every memory so love can bloom tomorrowWhen di coffin drop, mi feel it inna mi boneBut mi cyah leave dis ya place… mi cyah leave her aloneVerse 2Dem say “Rasta, why yuh work wid dead people every day?”Mi just smile an seh “Every king need him crown fi lay”Mi know every story, every tear weh mama shedMi know weh di drunk driver run di redSometimes mi sit pon di bench, light a spliff fi di peaceTalk to Miss Ivy, tell har how di mango tree increaseTell har bout di youth dem weh still a fight fi surviveTell har “Hold a vibes, Mama… wi still alive”Pre-ChorusAnother hearse roll in slow, steel band play behindMi line di pathway neat, so di family cyah stumble blindMi chest get tight, mi swallow down di painBut mi still haffi smile again…Final ChorusMi a di graveyard keeper, mi sweep away di sorrowMi water every memory so love can bloom tomorrowWhen di coffin drop, mi feel it inna mi boneNow yuh know di truth… mi nuh work ya fi di pay aloneDis ya spot right ya so… is weh mi lay mi wifeMi promise har forever, even after lifeSo mi trim har rose dem red, mi talk to har each nightMi a di graveyard keeper… cah mi cyah leave mi wifeOutroRest easy, mi queen… mi still deh ya soEvery flowered grave yuh see… a piece a mi heart growUnder di moonlight… mi still love yuh… yuh know…Graveyard keeper forever… Jah know…
- Midnight Son 3:55IntroClick-clack … di door kick open…But watch di story…Verse 1Two o’clock inna di morning, moon deh pon guardMi hear bare footstep creep-cross mi yardThree shadow inna mask, cutlass a gleamMi grab mi old machete an’ let out one scream“WHO SEND UNU?! FIRE PON THIEF!”Two a dem bolt like racehorse, leave one soul beneathHim drop di knife, hand dem shake like leafOne little youth, maybe sixteen, freeze up inna griefMi pull off di mask—face wet wid tearsEye dem big an’ red, full a bare fright an’ fearsHim whisper “Mi sorry, sah… mi hungry bad”An’ mi heart crack open fi di likkle ladChorusTonight yuh come fi rob mi, but mi ago rob yuh backRob yuh a di darkness, put yuh pon a better trackNo police, no cell—mi ago give yuh something betterOne chance, one night, one lesson yuh nuh go forget everVerse 2Mi light di kerosene lamp, sit him down pon di floorPour him a cup a chocolate tea, lock back di front doorMi seh “Yute, yuh braver than di two weh runBut brave inna wrong direction a still di wrong one”Mi carry him outside when di sun just a crackShow him di yam hill, di banana backSeh “Watch dis: yuh dig, yuh plant, yuh sweat, yuh waitSix month from now yuh belly full pon yuh own plate”Every evening after school him comeCutlass inna hand, learn how di real food comeMi teach him pride, teach him patience, teach him prayerTill di same hand weh hold knife start hold soil with careChorusYuh came midnight thief, but yuh leave daylight sonLook yuh hand dem now—callous, but yuh proud a demHard work nuh lie, hard work nuh cheatEvery seed yuh plant a another step off di streetBridgeMi old now, knee dem stiff, yam hill still greenOne morning mi hear baby cry an’ footstep inna di laneOne tall youth wid a woman an’ a pickney inna him armStand up inna mi gateway, eye dem calm like morning psalmHim kneel down slow, put di baby inna mi handSeh “Papa, dis yuh first grandchild—name him after you, man”Tear drop pon di dirt weh we plant together long timeHim seh “If yuh never lock di door dat night an’ open yuh heart insteadDis baby wouldn’t born, an’ mi woulda probably dead”Final ChorusYuh came midnight thief, but yuh leave midnight sonNow yuh bring midnight grandpickney fi see di work we doneOne night change two life, maybe three, maybe fourLove stronger than cutlass, mercy stronger than lawSo when yuh see a youth lost inna di darkRemember mi tell yuh—one lamp can light a sparkOutroGo home, mi son…Go plant yuh own yam hill…An’ when yuh pickney big,Tell him bout di nightOne old man never call police…Just call him “Come sidung.Wi ago talk.”
- I Thought I Had To 3:55IntroRun, bredda, run…Dem a come…Verse 1Sixteen, corner hot, red bandana tie tightFriend dem seh “Wi a di real, wi ago own di night”First night mi hold di Glock, hand a shake but mi smileMi seh “If mi nuh do it, dem ago kill mi in a while”Shot fire, man drop, blood pon di concreteMi run gone inna di lane, heart a beat 33 beatPolice light flash, mi hear mama scream mi nameBut mi tell miself loud:I had to do it… I had to do it…Verse 2Next year, same war, bredda Delroy catch a strayHim did a laugh two second ago, now him lay cold inna di wayFuneral full a enemy, wi carry casket wid gunMi fire in di air, swear revenge till di war doneTwo month later, mi best dawg get 25 flatJudge seh “Life,” him look pon mi an’ seh “Yuh next, dat”Mi still pon di road, eye red, no sleepMi tell miself again:I had to do it… I had to do it…ChorusI had to do it, had to do itOr dem woulda do it to miI had to do it, had to do itDat a di lie weh set mi freeVerse 3One night mi deh pon di same corner, alonePhone ring—mi last friend just catch bullet inna him domeMi look pon di bloodstain weh still inna di concreteAn’ something inna mi chest just drop an’ retreatMi see Delroy face, mi see di judge, mi see mama cryAn’ for di first time mi ask miself… “But why?”Mi drop di gun pon di ground, it soun’ like thunderAn’ di truth finally cut mi asunderChorusI never had to do it… I never had to do itI only thought I had to, Jah knowI never had to do it… I never had to do itI was just scared an’ too young fi knowBridgeEvery friend mi lose, every night mi robEvery tear mama drop, every cell door a sobWas fi nuttin’… all fi nuttin’Mi coulda walk weh from day oneFinal ChorusI never had to do it, I never had to do itAn’ now mi free fi live mi life trueI never had to do it, I never had to do itAn’ every youth weh hear mi—yuh nuh have to neitherWalk weh, bredda… walk wehBefore di lie become yuh graveOutroI thought I had to…But love was di only thing I ever had to do.
- Tomorrow Never Come 3:59IntroEvery day… same time… same corner…Mi tell miself “tomorrow”… but tomorrow never come…Verse 1Six-thirty morning, mi a rush go catch di busHim deh deh pon di same piece a cardboard, cup inna him hand, plusHim eye dem grey like storm cloud, voice rough like gravel road“Blessings, sah… any little change?” Mi shake mi head and goMonday: “Him ago buy rum.”Tuesday: “Mi nuh have coins.”Wednesday: “Mi late fi work, tomorrow mi ago mind.”Thursday rain a fall, mi pull mi hoodie, walk fasterFriday mi tell miself, “Him probably have place fi sleep, mi nah enabler.”Week turn month, month turn yearMi get promotion, buy new phone, new sneakerStill step over him foot same wayStill nuh look him inna him face same wayChorusDi same corner, di same old manDi same excuse inna mi mouth again“Tomorrow, tomorrow” mi always sayTill tomorrow come and him gone awayVerse 2One Tuesday morning, di corner feel bareNo cup, no cardboard, no voice inna di airMi slow down mi step, something feel strangeMi ask di snow-cone lady, “Miss, yuh see di old man change?”She wipe her eye quick, seh “Him dead from Thursday nightCold take him, nobody nuh claim him, nobody nuh fightDem find a picture inna him pocket, him used to be a teacherHim have a daughter somewhere weh stop call him feature.”Mi stand up deh long time, bus pass three timeMi search every pocket, but mi nuh have nothing fi give dis timeMi kneel down pon di same spot weh him used to sitPut mi hand pon di concrete… it still cold like him gripChorusDi same corner, but him not thereNow mi have coins, now mi have cash fi spareBut tomorrow come and him gone awayAn’ mi “tomorrow” cyah bring him back todayBridgeIf yuh see somebody a beg today…Any little thing yuh can do, do it nuh delayCah one day yuh ago pass and dem nuh deh dehAn’ yuh heart ago talk louder than anything yuh ever sehFinal ChorusDi same corner still a call mi nameEvery time mi pass, mi feel di shameMi cyah change yesterday, but from todayMi ago give weh mi can give, before tomorrow slip awayOutroRest easy, old man…Mi late… but mi finally hear yuh today.
- Shake Hand An’ Gwaan 3:55IntroYow… pull up di two a unu.Come off a di trigger… come off a di blade…Hear mi nuh…Verse 1Two bredda pon di corner, eye red like coal fireOne a grip him waist, di next a draw cutlass higherCrowd a form circle, phone light a flashMi push through di middle an’ seh “Unu ago dead fi nuttin’ fast!”Mi seh “Yow, yutes, look pon mi face goodSee dis scar right ya? Dat a ’99 hoodMi best friend Delroy—same argument like disOne stab inna him neck, now him six foot under grass”Pre-ChorusMi lose sleep fi years, mama still a cryEvery time she see rain she ask Jah “Why?”Unu want dat fi unu family too?Tell mi—when police carry unu, who ago mind di pickney dem fi unu?ChorusShake hand an’ gwaan, yuteNuh mek di devil write di ending a di bookShake hand an’ gwaanLife too short fi pride an’ gun talkTomorrow unu coulda build something tallBut tonight if unu drop, unu lose it allShake hand an’ gwaan…Mi beg unu—shake hand an’ gwaanVerse 2Mi seh “Remember Shaggy from primary school days?Tall yute, bright, teacher seh him woulda blazeOne night him stand up fi him bredda same wayOne bullet from police—him never see twenty-one Christmas Day”Mi pull up mi shirt, show di bullet hole weh healSeh “Dis a 2005, mi think mi bad an’ realMi live—barely—spend five years inna cellCome out a ghost, mi own mama couldn’t tell who the hell”Pre-ChorusMi miss mi youth dem born, mi miss mi woman smileMi miss di chance fi walk straight down di aisleAll because a pride an’ one hot-headed nightUnu really want trade unu future fi one fight?ChorusShake hand an’ gwaan, yuteNuh mek di devil write di ending a di bookShake hand an’ gwaanLife too short fi pride an’ gun talkTomorrow unu coulda build something tallBut tonight if unu drop, unu lose it allShake hand an’ gwaan…Bredda—shake hand an’ gwaanBridgeMi nuh perfect, mi have blood pon mi pastBut mi deh ya fi pull unu outta di blastIf mi can save one life tonightThen every scar mi have earn new lightLook pon mi—mi a living proofYuh cyah win when di grave a di referee, yuteFinal ChorusShake hand an’ gwaan, yuteWatch di sun ago rise pon a brand new bookShake hand an’ gwaanTomorrow wi ago build, wi ago plant foodWi ago raise wi pickney dem tallWi ago prove seh love stronger than allWi shake hand an’ gwaanYes wi shake hand an’ gwaan!OutroYouth 1: “Yow… mi sorry, bredda.”Youth 2: “Same way, mi dawg… mi sorry.”hand slapOld man (soft): “Good. Now walk di other way…Life a wait pon unu.”
- Now Mi See 3:49IntroPops… sidung right ya so beside mi nuh…Mi haffi tell yuh dis while yuh eye still bright…Verse 1Yuh sit inna di old rocker, same spot from mi bornGrey beard full a wisdom, same shirt half tornMi look pon yuh hand dem, still strong like mahoganyAn’ every line inna yuh palm a whole story fi meWhen mi was lickle an’ mi fuss bout new shoeYuh just smile quiet an’ patch di old one wid glueMi never know seh yuh walk barefoot go countryJust so mi coulda run go school proud an’ comfyChorusNow mi see, Daddy… now mi seeEvery sacrifice yuh hide from meNow mi see, Pops… clear like seaYuh was di richest man inna povertyToday mi bring mi pickney dem come sit pon yuh kneeAn’ mi seh it loud, face to face, while yuh still can hear mi:“Thank yuh fi everyting… now mi see.”Verse 2Yuh still wake before light go water di yam hill slowNow mi deh beside yuh, cutlass inna mi hand alsoMi son behind mi, learning di same rhythmAn’ when him laugh mi swear mi hear yuh voice inna himYuh never miss one Sports Day, one night when mi sickEven when di money short an’ di candle burn quickYuh tell Anancy story till mi eye close tightNow mi tell di same story to mi own pickney tonight**(ChorusNow mi see, Daddy… now mi seeHow yuh carry di whole world pon yuh kneeNow mi see, Pops… bright like sunYuh gi mi tomorrow before tomorrow comeSo mi rest mi head pon yuh shoulder one more timeAn’ mi feel yuh chest rise an’ fall… an’ mi know everything fineThank yuh fi everyting… now mi see.BridgeMi look up an’ yuh nuh seh one wordBut yuh eye dem full up, tear a race down yuh cheek like riverYuh pull mi close, strong hand pat mi back slowAn’ dat hug talk everyting yuh never need fi seh out loudMi feel it, Pops… mi feel it…Final ChorusNow mi see, Daddy… now mi seeLove nuh need plenty word, love just beNow mi see, Pops… forever mi seeYuh name ago live inna every fruit pon every treeAn’ when mi old an’ grey an’ mi son bring him sonHim ago rest him head pon mi shoulder an’ seh“Thank yuh, Daddy…”An’ di circle nuh broke… it just keep growing.OutroYuh still nuh talk…But yuh tears an’ yuh hug seh enough.Mi love yuh, Pops.Now mi see.
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