22 Years Too Long

[Intro]
Yeah, this one's for the man I never knew,
22 years of silence, tears and truth,
Listen up, I got something to say,
Hoping somehow it finds a way.

[Verse 1]
Mom told me stories ‘bout how you helped her conceive,
Made her smile, made her believe, kept your promise to me,
'When you're 18, we'll meet,' you said with a smile,
But now I’m 22, and it’s been a while.

You helped us start the life that I carry inside,
A part of you that I’ve never seen, can't even hide,
Promises in the wind, they’re echoing in my mind,
Wondering why you still stay locked behind.

[Pre-Chorus]
Year after year, I waited in hope,
Thought maybe someday, you'd help me cope,
But here I stand, waiting still,
With questions buried in my will.

[Chorus]
Where you at, where you been?
Feeling lost, feeling thin,
A father’s love I’ve never seen,
Just an empty chair and broken dreams.

22 years of pain and pride,
Trying to keep my tears inside,
Hoping someday you'll appear,
To wipe away all of my fear.

[Verse 2]
Your wife, your vow, the chains that bind,
Made you forget, made you blind,
To the boy you helped create,
Left me standing at the gate.

Was it me or was it her?
Did I matter, did I deserve?
Questions burning like a flame,
Yet I’m still calling out your name.

[Pre-Chorus]
Thought that love might be enough,
But feelings rough, so tough,
I’m just trying to understand,
Why you turned away, why you ran.

[Chorus]
Where you at, where you been?
Feeling lost, feeling thin,
A father’s love I’ve never seen,
Just an empty chair and broken dreams.

22 years of pain and pride,
Trying to keep my tears inside,
Hoping someday you'll appear,
To wipe away all of my fear.

[Bridge]
Maybe you’re scared, maybe you don’t know,
The boy you helped, he’s grown, ready to show,
That I’m more than just a shadow or regret,
Holding hope I can’t forget.

But still I ask, why the delay?
Why you choose to stay away?
My heart’s open, can’t pretend,
Hoping someday, this will end.

[Outro]
So here I stand, voice unbound,
Looking for the love I’ve never found,
22 years, still I believe,
One day you’ll see, and we’ll finally meet.

Rap, emotional storytelling, heartfelt verses, strong beat, lyrical honesty, piano and bass backing