A Black Man’s Apology

Mmm here we go again with Tayo…

Intro (spoken, soft piano & pads)

A black man’s apology…

Dear Black woman…

Verse 1

Dear Black woman, let me take this time,

Stand still in the truth, no ego, no pride.

I owe you words that I swallowed too long,

Called you out your name when you carried me strong.

You stretched your arms—Ethiopian grace,

Held up nations while I ran from my face.

I fed the world lies, that gangster disguise,

Sex rhymes and bravado, but fear in my eyes.

I wasn’t ethical with my deepest emotions,

Played hard when my soul was broken and frozen.

Truth is—I’m not what I pretended to be,

Just a man in a costume, afraid to be free.

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Pre-Chorus

I see now the tears that dried on your face,

While my heart learned pain at a slower pace.

I was loud in the streets, silent at home,

And you carried the weight alone.

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Chorus

So I apologize… Black woman, I do

For the nights you were strong when I never came through.

I apologize… from the depths of my soul

For choosing the streets over watching us grow.

You’re my superwoman, always have been

I should’ve been standing right there as your man.

So I apologize… if these words ring true

Please find it in your heart—

This apology’s for you.

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Verse 2

I apologize for the heat of the block,

For holding a .45 instead of a clock.

For chasing fast money, no steady 9 to 5,

While you kept us breathing, kept hope alive.

I left you the burden to raise our child,

While I acted younger than the baby we smiled at.

Running wild, thinking foolish was strength,

Never knowing love was the real defense.

You nurtured, you prayed, you kept us intact,

While I disappeared, no calls, no tracks.

And it amazes me now, looking back,

How you kept the family tight through the cracks.

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Pre-Chorus 2

Lord knows you were heaven-sent,

While I was locked in my own intent.

I see the crown I never gave,

To the queen who made a way.

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Chorus

So I apologize… Black woman, I do

For the scars that came from my point of view.

I apologize… for not standing tall

For loving my pride more than loving us all.

You’re my superwoman, I cherish you still

Even broken, my heart knows what’s real.

So I apologize… if forgiveness is hard

I’m owning my flaws, laying down my guard.

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Bridge (spoken / sung, stripped beat)

Please…

Please, Black woman…

Find it in your heart to forgive

This warped street pride,

This boy learning how to be a man.

I stayed on the outside

When I should’ve been right by your side.

And I’m saying it now—no mask, no lies.

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Final Chorus (full harmony)

I apologize… with nothing to hide

For not being man enough when you needed my side.

I apologize… not just in this song

But in how I live, how I love, moving on.

Black woman, I love you, I honor your name

You carried the fire while I fed the flame.

So I apologize… from my knees, from my heart

This is a new beginning—

Not just words, but a start.

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Outro (fade)

A black man’s apology…

Dear Black woman…

I see you now.

Tayo… mmm… Tayo