January ninth, quiet night, candles low
Mama said I was special, I ain’t know till I was grown
Young Black man with a heart full of scars
Learned love don’t come easy when you start from the dark
Mmmm mmhm
J.P. in the mirror, talking to myself
Telling me I’m gon’ make it even doubting my health
I been tired, I been broke, I been strong
Smiling for the world while I’m bleeding in songs
(Oooooh)
Cold nights taught me how to feel
Fake love taught me what’s real
I gave pieces of me I ain’t get back
Still praying God fill every crack
Uhh huhhhh mmm
She see the man but she don’t see the boy
Who learned pain before he learned joy
Birthday wishes don’t sound the same
When you surviving more than celebrating
Mmmm
J.P. carry weight in his name
Pressure made diamonds, still feel the flame
I forgive my father, I forgive my past
Some wounds heal slow, some heal fast
(Yeah, ohh yeah) mmm
I learned silence louder than hate
Learned patience while I waited my fate
Tears in the shower nobody knew (nobody knew)
I kept saying I’m good when it wasn’t true
(Ahhh nah)
January nights got my heart on replay
Asking God am I doing this right
If I don’t make it remember I tried
I loved deep even when I cried
Mmmm
J.P. ain’t perfect just present
I show up even when I’m stressing
Still got faith even when it shake
Still believe love real just late
Mmmmm
I toast to growth not age
To healing chapters I ain’t turned the page
If you love me love me slow
I been running from pain now I let it go
Ohhh
January ninth new breath same soul
Still chasing peace more than gold
If I leave tonight remember my heart
I gave it all from the start
Mmm yeah
J.P. survivor son man
Still learning who I am
Birthday tears mixed with pride
I stayed alive through the night
Ohh uhh ohh oooooh
If you hear this know I’m real
Every word something I feel
January ninth I stand tall
Still here — that’s the gift of it all
Mmmmmm yeah
Mm oh mmm
