Father Figures Songtext
von Brother Ali

It′s very important to me that
Whatever I have to say is worth saying
Truth teller, truth yeller
Proof evidence, yes yes
It's very important to me that
Whatever I have to say is worth saying

Uh-huh, 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′s still my opposition
I chop a parcel out the wisdom I've been given out a-top 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 throwing 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 ashamed than an atom's weight of arrogance
Mention death's name, prepare for it ain′t fearin′ it
Athiests 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 conceiling

The seekers overcome the amnesia
Feel the heartbreak bleedin′ all through my songs
My atmosphere, your 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 floatin' all through my songs
The Elterom 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

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 a while"
They want to question my travellin′, what's the harassment?
Power obsessed authoritarians detest what I′m channelin'
He said his mission keep the innocent from dyin′
Had to laugh a little bit to keep from cryin'
Messiahs if we don′t know about the Co. and tell pro and devilish drones
They rain hell into homes
Never an empire rose without blood on its hands and face
They hate the poets for exposin' the channel the rage, sacred space


Whether I'm in Iran or Lebanon
Or the south side of Chicago or Sudan
The power in the song is the truth not the performer
My question for you is where′s the honour
In bothering a father in his home in pajamas
On his birthday in front of all his daughters?
Next time call the lawyer

I′m part of this resistance, blisterin' 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
With steadfastness, blastin′ this dope ass song
Colonel 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, no!

Truth teller, truth yeller
Bring it back though, let me finish

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 writtin' 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

Truth teller, truth yeller
Proof, evidence, yes yes
Manifest in the flesh to be the best of the best, huh
True livin', proof givin′
Yeah hide ya nanny
Yeah tan sunny