[INTRO – ACOUSTIC GUITAR PICKING OVER A LOW 808 BEAT. FAINT HARMONICA IN THE BACKGROUND. RAPPER SPEAKS LOW AND LAID-BACK.] RAPPER: Yeah… Back when the sun set behind that barn And Mama hollered ‘bout supper, still dirt on my arms Daddy’d lean on the tailgate, speakin’ slow Truth in his drawl, said “Boy, here’s what you need to know…” [VERSE 1 – MID-TEMPO RAP FLOW OVER BANJO RIFF AND DEEP BASS. SNARE HITS WITH CLAPS ON BEAT.] RAPPER: He said, “Pride’ll bite ya worse than a rattlesnake, Don’t let your ego be the thing that breaks ya fate.” “Power’s a tool, not a crown for your head, If you can't bend a knee, you’ll wind up dead.” “Son, don’t plant nothin’ you don’t wanna grow, Life gives back what your hands chose to sow.” “And watch them smooth talkers twistin’ the Word, They’ll sell you a lie wrapped up like a verse.” [CHORUS – SINGER COMES IN WITH STRONG SOUTHERN MELODY, SLIDE GUITAR BACKING. BACKGROUND HARMONIES BUILD.] SINGER: Daddy said, “Don’t chase the world, it’s a crooked game, They’ll praise your sin and curse your name.” “Money’s a shadow, not the light you need, Don’t sell your soul just to feed your greed.” He said, “Stand your ground, stay true and free, The truth ain’t loud, but it’ll set you at ease.” [VERSE 2 – RAP CONTINUES WITH SLIGHTLY MORE INTENSITY. GUITARS STRUMMING LOW CHORDS.] RAPPER: “House divided gonna split in two — That counts for the nation, and your family too.” “Don’t bend your back just to fit in the crowd, You ain’t meant to blend, son — you meant to stand proud.” “Slick suits’ll sell ya a dream made of dust, They smile while they’re settin’ fire to your trust.” “And don’t call evil good just ‘cause it’s dressed up nice, Darkness don’t change ‘cause it’s wearin’ lights.” [CHORUS – REPEATED WITH MORE EMOTION. BACKING VOCALS SWELL. FIDDLE JOINS IN SUBTLY.] SINGER: Daddy said, “Don’t chase the world, it’s a crooked game, They’ll praise your sin and curse your name.” “Money’s a shadow, not the light you need, Don’t sell your soul just to feed your greed.” He said, “Stand your ground, stay true and free, The truth ain’t loud, but it’ll set you at ease.” [BRIDGE – HALF-TIME BEAT. RAP SLOWS DOWN WITH STRIPPED BACK INSTRUMENTALS. JUST KICK, HI-HAT, AND LIGHT PIANO.] RAPPER: “Boy, freedom ain’t doin’ whatever you please, It’s knowin’ what’s right and fallin’ to your knees.” “Your idols ain’t always made of gold, Sometimes they’re screens, or things you hold.” “Time don’t wait — it don’t punch no clock, Use it wise, son, before it stops.” He said, “I ain’t perfect, and neither are you… But there’s a road of truth — now walk it through.” [FINAL CHORUS – FULL BAND, STRONG VOCALS. GUITAR SOLO LICKS BETWEEN LINES. BIG DRUM HITS.] SINGER: Daddy said, “Don’t chase the world, it’s a crooked game, They’ll praise your sin and curse your name.” “Money’s a shadow, not the light you need, Don’t sell your soul just to feed your greed.” He said, “Stand your ground, stay true and free, The truth ain’t loud, but it’ll set you at ease.” Yeah, he said, “Boy, the truth’ll set you at ease…” [OUTRO – GUITAR FADEOUT WITH HARMONICA. RAPPER WHISPERS LAST LINE.] RAPPER: Just like Daddy said… “Don’t forget who you are when the world forgets God.”
