Lyrics
Yeah
Expression of affirmation or agreement
Said we was pressing through to shine, now we here
Indication of progress and success, overcoming challenges
And we ain't got the time, we can't revel in fear
Emphasizing the lack of time and the need to avoid fear
Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose
Symbolic expression, possibly referring to facing challenges or difficulties
Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose
Repetition for emphasis, reinforcing the previous line
Yeah
Reiteration of the affirmative sentiment
Said, we was pressing through to shine, now we here
Reiteration of progress and success
And we ain't got the time, we can't revel in fear
Re-emphasis on the importance of time and the avoidance of fear
Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose
Symbolic expression, possibly indicating a need for resilience
Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose, yeah
Repetition for emphasis, reinforcing the previous line
Hold my nose, hold my breath
Symbolic expression, possibly denoting readiness or determination
Take it by step by step off the porch
Incremental progress and careful approach
When predecessors pass the torch then y'all can rest
Passing on responsibility to successors and the importance of legacy
Need my words to live forever, ain't no safety in the vest
Desire for lasting impact and acknowledging the absence of safety
Prematurely winning over shit that safely, I confessed
Confession of premature success and its consequences
So lately, I been stressing all my brothers, we don't need to rest
Expressing concern for others and the avoidance of rest
Control your fate, get erased, 'cause they tryna keep us in our place
Highlighting the struggle against external control
That dishonest take get you whacked in the face
Warning against dishonest actions leading to consequences
By grace, I'm alive, I be damned if I'm anything but great
Embracing life despite challenges, a commitment to greatness
Be ducking the calm, I'm trucking 'bout mine
Avoiding conflict while pursuing personal goals
And seeking whatever that mountain take
Seeking challenges represented by a mountain
Remove 'em 'cause they move at a fountain's pace
Removing obstacles hindering progress
To know time and place and to persevere is everything it could ever take
Recognizing the importance of timing and perseverance
Word to Earl, I could bend but could never break
Acknowledging resilience with reference to Earl
And you feel my shine, 'cause with my time ain't shit I could fake
Authenticity and the inability to fake success
Treading out of this lake of hate and dismay
Emerging from negativity and challenges
Gotta keep pace we ain't saving the day
Maintaining pace without expecting to save the day
And my saving grace in my DNA
Personal strength found in one's DNA
We Black
Embracing Black identity and the challenges it brings
That leave me with two choices, get left or I can adapt
Presented with choices, adapting to survive
My nigga, my nigga, I'm gon hit that climb wit you
Repetition of solidarity and commitment to share success
My nigga, my nigga, I'm gon split that pie wit you
-My nigga, my nigga, I'm gon hit that climb wit you
-My nigga, my nigga, I'm gon split that pie wit you
-Yeah, said we was pressing through to shine, now we here
-And we ain't got the time, we can't revel in fear
-Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose
-Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose
-Yeah
-Said we was pressing through to shine, now we here
-And we ain't got the time, we can't revel in fear
-Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose
-Need to hold my nose, my nose, my nose, yeah
-
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