[Intro | deep baritone | slow spoken-rap | calm piano backgroung] I found an letter folded in the middle of a old diary with the family name was written there in a handwriting I almost knew [Verse 1] [ Music start ] [Southern rap| deep gritty male vocals| slow deliberate flow | raw authoritative delivery | reflective streetwise tone | raspy baritone | delivery authoritative | reflective tone] Born in a regular family, stable Sunday plates we around the table Everybody talking, smiling like the world would stay that way My old friend there at the doorway calling me to come outside, let's ride We'd disappear till supper ( when the lights on) then come running when they cried Back when twenty dollars felt like money in my hand Back when grown-ups had the answers or at least that's what I thought, tried to understand I didn't know those Sundays would become the things I miss Didn't know you'd lose some people just by growing up like this [Pre-Chorus|controlled emotional delivery| memorable melodic hook| layered backing vocals on the chorus|occasional spoken phrases and hype accents| soulful| spacious beat built around the storytelling vocal] We thought the years were waiting We thought they took their time Nobody warned us how fast a good thing dies [Chorus] Dear son, look where you are Look what those years did so far You lost some, you found some You even had some fun Dear son, don't forget what you were trying to learn The letter left behind was written before I got here [Verse 2| Southern rap| deep gritty male vocals| slow deliberate flow | raw authoritative delivery | reflective streetwise tone | raspy baritone | delivery authoritative | reflective tone] Finally started High school trying hard to play it cool While my parents went their separate ways and nobody made the rules I learned to read the silent room when the house got split in two Started asking grown-up questions with a kid's point of view Then the college years came things change, shorty chasing fast cash Everybody knew somebody who could make a little last I saw the money on the table and the books beside the bed I chose the road that paid me quicker instead of what could stay in my head [Pre-Chorus | controlled emotional delivery| memorable melodic hook| layered backing vocals on the chorus|occasional spoken phrases and hype accents| soulful| spacious beat built around the storytelling vocal] Funny how a dollar disappears but the lesson stays for years Funny how you learn the price Only after you’ve paid it twice [Chorus] Dear son, look where you are Look what those years did You lost some, you found some You became somebody to someone Dear son, don't forget what you were trying to learn The letter left behind was written before you got here [Verse 3] [Southern rap| deep gritty male vocals| slow deliberate flow | raw authoritative delivery | reflective streetwise tone | raspy baritone | delivery authoritative | reflective tone] Two thousand came and went, were they well spent and the years kept changing names Bills stacked up beside the crib, still the same while I was learning how to stay, some went away Friends packed up their apartments some moved across the map Some calls came late at night and never gave the old voice back People I thought I’d grow old with Turned to faded pictures collecting dust And every time somebody left They took another piece of my youth Now every face I used to know Feels like a ghost from long ago Still trying to make it make sense Still learning what matters Money can buy a bigger house but it can't bring those Sunday supper ( back) [Pre-Bridge] Love ain't always fireworks Sometimes it's making dinner late Sometimes it's saying "I'm sorry" when your pride says, "walk away" [Bridge] If I could send this page backward I'd tell that kid one thing: Don't measure your life by the money in your pocket Don't mistake being busy for knowing where you're going Hold your people a little closer Take more pictures Make the calls Sit down at the table with friends and all while everybody's still there, so later , you shed no tears [Final Chorus|controlled emotional delivery| memorable melodic hook| layered backing vocals on the chorus|occasional spoken phrases and hype accents| soulful| spacious beat built around the storytelling vocal] Dear son, look where you are Look what those years did You lost some, you found someone You finally became a dad to someone Dear son, don't forget what you were trying to learn The letter left behind was written before your grandpa got here [Outro] [ Music fades and calm piano takeover] Money comes Money goes Love asks more than money knows Kids grow up Parents get old Friends leave Some don't get to go And life keeps writing after the ink runs dry I found that old letter and finally understood It wasn't left behind It was waiting for me.. for you ... for us .. the future seeds
