[Intro]
[woozy bell loop, filtered]
Chainlink halos
Mud on my name, still I walk like Pharaoh
(facts)
[Verse 1]
Grandma kept a bible on the plastic couch
Cotton in her story, blood in every vowel
Say the mark on the money in my landlord smile
Same brand on the back of my people’s files
I was born with a barcode over my birthmark
Preacher talk heaven while the block got a thirst mark
Devil in a briefcase, documents in red ink
Promise you a kingdom if you never ever dare think
[Chorus]
I see chains in the gold, still I praise my God
Still I praise my God (yeah)
Got that six-six shadow tryna play my part
But He own my heart
Hands up, eyes closed, I been in that yard
Whips and scars in the family yard
I see chains in the gold, still I praise my God
Still I praise my God (ayy, still I praise my—)
[Verse 2]
Mama say the spirits talk in tambourines
Choir hit a note, shake the gasoline
Whole hood flammable, branded like cattle
Boss-man beast, use a scripture for a shackle
They flip verses like they flipping real estate
Put a cross on a contract, call it “give and take”
But the lamb look hungry in the stained glass frame
While the wolf wear linen, put a price on your pain
[Bridge]
[beat drops to bass + clap]
(Female)
Knees in the dirt, still holy
Hands in the air, still lonely
They count my body like numbers on a screen
But my soul ain’t part of they machine (no)
(Male)
Mark on the flesh, ink on the deed
They call it freedom while we still bleed
I got a code they can’t decode
Name in the book they can’t revoke
[Chorus]
I see chains in the gold, still I praise my God
Still I praise my God (still I praise, yeah)
Got that six-six shadow tryna play my part
But He own my heart
Hands up, eyes closed, I been in that yard
Whips and scars in the family yard
I see chains in the gold, still I praise my God
Still I praise my God (still I praise my—)
[Outro]
[808s detune, hats stutter out]
(Female)
They can number what they see
(Male)
But they never own me
(Female)
Every lash, every loss, every grave they trod
Both
Just another step closer to God