Hand to mouth

It ruff Apama

*Chorus*

We are living hand to mouth, di struggle real,

Every day a hustle, just fi find a meal.

Empty pot pon di stove, how di yutes dem feel?

But still, we give thanks, Cah Jah love a di shield.

*Verse 1*

Mi wake up early, belly still hollow,

Hustle pon mi mind, cah mi cyaan beg or borrow.

Di system set fi keep we down in sorrow,

But mi a fight today, cah mi waan better tomorrow.

Mi see Mama cry, tears wet di sheet,

She a pray fi a blessing fi put food pon we feet.

Pickney dem hungry, dem face look weak,

But di fire inna we soul, nah mek we retreat.

*Chorus*

We are living hand to mouth, di struggle real,

Every day a hustle, just fi find a meal.

Empty pot pon di stove, how di yutes dem feel?

But still, we give thanks, Cah Jah love a di shield.

*Verse 2*

Man haffi sell fruits pon di roadside fi eat,

While politician sit down pon dem throne and a cheat.

Di ghetto full of pain, but di heart still sweet,

Cah mi bredren dem strong, dem nah tek defeat.

Mi haffi mek a move, mi nah stay inna di slum,

But di system lock di door, mi haffi kick it down.

Dem nuh know ‘bout di pressure weh we face every day,

But mi still haffi sing and give Jah mi praise.

*Bridge*

Mi seh hand to mouth, but mi nah lose hope,

Even when di pressure tight like a noose ‘round throat.

Jah guide mi steps, mi cyaan sink or float,

Di ghetto spirit strong, dat a di antidote.

*Outro*

So we trod same way, though di road it tough,

And we smile same way, though di life it rough.

Di belly might empty, but di soul nuh bluff,

Cah Jah deh pon mi side, dat alone is enough.