Roots Before Fruit

Yeah… {soft

piano intro, building tension}

I been planting seeds in the dark where nobody could see,

Talking to God while the world kept doubting me.

Had some days I couldn’t find what I was meant to be,

But the mirror kept whispering,

“There’s more inside to see.” They laughed when I dreamed with my

pockets on low, Never knew a king could be buried just to

grow. Took losses like lessons,

now I’m moving with grace,

Every scar that I carry put some light on my face.

Mama told me, “Son,

don’t let the world steal your shine,” So I learned that God’s

timing ain’t the same as mine.

Even when I’m broke,

I still feel rich in my soul,

‘Cause I’m building something bigger than silver and gold.

{reflective vocal, building energy} I’m just waiting on the sunrise,

Been praying through the midnight.

I know my season’s on the way,

I can feel heaven calling my name.

{lifting arrangement} One day I’ll shine brighter than the stars in the

sky, You can tell ‘em I was born to fly.

And when I make it,

I ain’t coming alone,

Bringing all my people home.

If I eat, then my kin gon’ eat too,

That’s just something real ones do.

Even when the water runs deeper than blood,

It’s still blood—I show it love.

{anthemic vocal peak} Funny how your own can become strangers sometimes,

Smile in your face but envy what’s inside your mind.

Learned everybody sharing DNA ain’t your peace,

Some branches gotta break for the roots to find relief.

But I could never hate where I came from,

no. Every crack in my story helped my spirit grow.

Got cousins fighting demons that they never confess,

And uncles carrying burdens underneath all that stress.

I’ma build something they can lean on when I’m gone,

Generational blessings written into every song.

Buy the land, build the homes,

put my people in position,

Turn every prayer my grandmother prayed into fruition.

My nieces and nephews gon’ know what abundance means,

No more sleeping on a dream that’s bigger than what we’ve seen.

{reflective yet determined vocal} They say blood is thicker than water,

But sometimes life will make you question that.

Still, I pray for every soul connected to my name.

‘Cause blood don’t stop being blood when it’s wounded.

{emotional breakdown}

I’ll be shining

like the moon

when the night gets cold,

Tell my story ’til my soul grows old.

Every tear became a river that carried me home,

And I was never walking alone.

My time is coming—I know it is.

I can feel it in my bones.

And when my light finally reaches the sky,

It’ll light the way for those I love.

{soaring layered vocals}

So if you’re listening from the bottom,

don’t rush your crown.

Trees don’t apologize for growing tall.

Some seasons are meant for roots

before they’re meant for fruit.

My time will come.

And when it does…

We all gon’ shine.

{fading soulful ad-libs}