[Intro] (Oh my money oh my money oh my money oh my money oh my money oh my money oh my money oh my money) [Low atmospheric hum, faint distant market chatter and rain patter, subtle Afrobeat drum pulse fades in] Mmm… The ordeal… New country… Still holdin’ on to you… Ooh… [Verse 1] Landed in Accra, air thick with roasted plantain and diesel Palm trees bendin’ where skyscrapers used to be, no steel I’m loyal to my man, that’s the only thing I know for sure But the streets move different, got me nervous at the core Open markets spillin’ color, yams stacked high as my pride Women balancin’ basins, babies tied tight to their side No drive-thru lines, no Starbucks glow Just pure life happenin’, movin’ slow I grip your hand tighter, nerves crawlin’ up my spine New country, new sounds, but you still mine [Pre-Chorus] Nights stretch longer when the unknown calls But your heartbeat keeps me from losin’ it all No runnin’ from the feeling, no hidin’ in the crowd Just me holdin’ on to you, sayin’ it out loud [Chorus] I never ask him for head I never ask him for head I never ask him for head I never ask him for head Through the ordeal I rise, still standin’ Clingin’ to you in this new land expandin’ Raw nerves on the edge but the love don’t break The ordeal tried to shake me—now I’m wide awake Ooh… the ordeal (the ordeal) Yeah… feel it still (feel it still) The ordeal… [Verse 2] They got elders under baobab trees tellin’ stories till the moon high No Netflix queue, just real talk under open sky Children laughin’ barefoot, runnin’ free in the dirt No fenced playgrounds, no “keep off the grass” alert Fresh palm wine instead of bottles on the shelf Strangers call you “sister” like you been family since birth Sun sets slower, paints the whole city gold No rush-hour horns, just stories bein’ told I’m nervous, yeah, but I’m loyal, that’s the truth Holdin’ your hand like it’s the only roof [Pre-Chorus] Nights stretch longer, but I own the weight Your presence a reminder I don’t have to break No surrender in my grip, no lettin’ go of you I turn nerves into strength, watch me push through [Chorus] I never ask him for head I never ask him for head I never ask him for head I never ask him for head Through the ordeal I rise, still standin’ Clingin’ to you in this new land expandin’ Raw nerves on the edge but the love don’t break The ordeal tried to shake me—now I’m wide awake Ooh… the ordeal (the ordeal) Yeah… feel it still (feel it still) The ordeal… [Bridge] [Ad-libs build low: smooth-to-raw vocal runs, layered harmonies with subtle market chatter swell] Ooh… why the newness feel so heavy yet so light? Every market smile, every drum beat at night Mmm… the ordeal… thank you for the view One more step with you, I’m makin’ it through… Hey… holdin’ on… (holdin’ on) Yeah… still loyal… ooh… [Final Chorus] I never ask him for head I never ask him for head I never ask him for head I never ask him for head Through the ordeal I rise, no chains left Global soul grooves
