Hear Me

(Verse 1)
Mama raised me right in a small-town way,
Said, “Son, treat folks how you’d wanna be treated someday.”
“If you ain’t got nothin’ nice, don’t let it slip out your mouth,”
So I learned to bite my tongue down South.

Kept my cool, smiled through the pain,
Did my best not to complain,
But there’s only so much a man can take,
Before his silence starts to shake.

(Pre-Chorus)
Yeah, I tried to keep that peace,
Like Mama taught me to,
But sometimes holdin’ back
Just ain’t the thing to do.

(Chorus)
— [pause…]
Mama, I know what you used to say,
“If you ain’t got nothin’ nice, just walk away.”
… [beat of silence]
But no, I can’t do that today —
Y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.
I’ve been kind, I’ve been fair,
But don’t push me, I swear,
I can be meaner than you on a good day —
Yeah, y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.

(Verse 2)
I give respect ‘cause that’s how I was raised,
But cross that line, and I don’t play.
I’ll pray for you, but don’t mistake my calm,
I still got fire behind these palms.

Ain’t no shame in speakin’ truth,
That’s what livin’s taught me through and through.
Mama, I still hear your words so clear,
But you ain’t standin’ where I am here.

(Pre-Chorus)
I ain’t tryin’ to start no fight,
But I ain’t backin’ down tonight.
‘Cause silence don’t always make it right.

(Chorus)
— [pause…]
Mama, I know what you used to say,
“If you ain’t got nothin’ nice, just walk away.”
… [beat of silence]
But no, I can’t do that today —
Y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.
I’ve been kind, I’ve been fair,
But don’t push me, I swear,
I can be meaner than you on a good day —
Yeah, y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.

(Bridge)
Ain’t no hate, just honesty,
Tired of folks takin’ advantage of me.
You treat me right, I’ll treat you the same,
But I ain’t playin’ no foolish game.

(Final Chorus)
— [long pause…]
Mama, I know what you used to say,
“If you ain’t got nothin’ nice, don’t you let it escape.”
But no, I can’t hold back today —
Y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.
I’ll stand tall, come what may,
‘Cause the truth don’t fade away.
Yeah, I was raised on love and grace,
But y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.

(Outro)
I still treat everyone the way I should,
But don’t test me, I ain’t all good.
Mama, I love you, but times done changed —
Now y’all gotta hear what I gotta say.


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Country, heartfelt, gritty, and real)