My Papa Said

My papa said, “Accentuate the positive”

“Life’ll break you down if you let it win”

He’d wink and say, “It’s all about the money”

“But don’t you lose your soul tryin’ to cash it in.”

And I still hear him sayin’ down the backroads of my head:

“Patience…”

“Wear your knees out prayin’ instead.”

“Keep doin’ what you’re doin’ — you’ll keep gettin’ what you’re gettin’”

“So change your ways, son, if you’re tired of regret.”

“Live within your means, but don’t forget to dream”

“Put the past behind you, let that old ghost leave”

Some days hit hard like gravel and bone

But “Some days are diamonds, some days are stones.”

Yeah, I still hear him hummin’ when the night sky turns red:

“Patience…”

“Wear your knees out, boy, not your head.”

“Keep doin’ what you’re doin’ — you’ll keep gettin’ what you’re gettin’”

“So stand up straighter, and count your blessin’s.”

“Family is forever,” he’d always remind

“Don’t stray too far, and stay on the line”

“Stay on the path, even when it ain’t clear”

“And don’t let the world steal what got you here.”

Now I whisper to myself every night before bed:

“Patience…”

“Wear your knees out where you tread.”

“Keep doin’ what you’re doin’ — you’ll keep gettin’ what you’re gettin’”

But change is a road, and I’m finally steppin’.

Some days I’m stone, some days I shine

But Papa’s voice is still walkin’ behind

And I’m stayin’ on the path — one step at a time

With his words in my ear and his hand in mine

Still teachin’ me slow how to walk that line.