Papa gave me music.
My mama gave me soul.
Brother gave me reaching out to hold.
Teachers gave me license.
Learning set me free.
My schooling gave me nothing.
Music showed me how to live.
Papa gave me want-to-be.
Brother gave me empathy.
Mama gave me woman,
But that isn't all I need.
'Cause I have lived in houses,
I have lived in homes.
Eaten off of tables made of wood or stone.
Through the trials and tribulations,
I've never known,
How to say, "I love you,"
And let my feelings show.
Mmmm-hmmm-hmmmm.
Thank you for the music.
And thank you for the song.
Bless you for the freedom,
In knowing right from wrong.
I thank you for the laughter,
The heartahce and the tears.
It's a blessing to grow.
It's a goodness to be here.
You give me want-to-be.
You give me sympathy.
You give me woman.
Thank you for loving me,
And letting it show.
It's a pleasure to be here,
So bless us, every one
My mama gave me soul.
Brother gave me reaching out to hold.
Teachers gave me license.
Learning set me free.
My schooling gave me nothing.
Music showed me how to live.
Papa gave me want-to-be.
Brother gave me empathy.
Mama gave me woman,
But that isn't all I need.
'Cause I have lived in houses,
I have lived in homes.
Eaten off of tables made of wood or stone.
Through the trials and tribulations,
I've never known,
How to say, "I love you,"
And let my feelings show.
Mmmm-hmmm-hmmmm.
Thank you for the music.
And thank you for the song.
Bless you for the freedom,
In knowing right from wrong.
I thank you for the laughter,
The heartahce and the tears.
It's a blessing to grow.
It's a goodness to be here.
You give me want-to-be.
You give me sympathy.
You give me woman.
Thank you for loving me,
And letting it show.
It's a pleasure to be here,
So bless us, every one