Sho Baraka - Fathers, 2004 lyrics

[Chorus] I'm a lover, a provider I'm a teacher, I'm a fighter I know there's grace for me even when I'm wrong Through all my indiscretions and all my imperfections I'm a love you till the day that I'm gone How do you spell dad? It goes L-O-V-E How do you spell dad? It goes L-O-V-E [Verse 1] Son in the land of the pa**ive make sure that you man up When introduced to a lady its always proper to stand up Never talk behind the back of someone you're not a fan of Know when the cops approach you, you might have to put your hands up Respect all people and show honor to the king No matter what they think the Lord created all human beings Be critical, but never partner with defiance Be happy with who you are all alone in the silence Pray without ceasing, but keep your eyes on the system Always speak up for the weak until somebody listens Don't marry her if you don't plan to bury her If you sweep her off her feet then learn how to carry her [Bridge 1] Through thick and thin you know we gon hold it down Through good or bad you know we gon stick around [Chorus] How do you spell dad? It goes L-O-V-E How do you spell dad? It goes L-O-V-E [Verse 2] Baby girl make sure your kings a better man than me You better believe I know that may be hard to achieve You're beautiful, I will always remind you Never let the culture's idea of beauty define you Baby girl don't be easily impressed Stay clothed in righteousness cause it's harder to undress I'm tryna raise the next Lena Horne Fannie Lou Hamer a lady who can bring reform Be wise and strong Don't be a side chick for the ride along Always be humble whether right or wrong And know I'll be here when your friends are gone When your friends are gone [Bridge 2] If you want love, get love If you need love, spread love [Verse 3] Yeah, I got new goals its family business I handle now The kind of stuff that brothers over thirty be bragging 'bout Tell my son that he's more than some target practice Tell my daughter that she's more than an extension to a mattress Never reach a goal by pulling others down Royalty is much more than a throne and a crown Your knees should be hurt from praying with your people Your shirt'll be wet from crying over evil I learned that love ain't based on performance Make a mistake and I will love you in the morning I see life in my children's eyes And when I'm wrong I'll be the first to apologize Peace to all my fathers who are working through their flaws Fulfilling their duties and they don't do it for applause It's true, any fool with a tool can reproduce But a father is that dude that'll see it through Forget the stereotypes lets be clear There are good men out there we are here [Bridge] Through thick and thin you know we gon hold it down Through good or bad you know we gon stick around [Chorus] How do you spell dad? It goes L-O-V-E How do you spell dad? It goes L-O-V-E How do you spell dad? M-E- (x2)