(Ayy, yoh) Zeal Africa
Life is hard, but we keep pushing
Only hope for the ones who look at me
Yeah, keep on moving
Since I was a child, life never smiled at me
Only shadows, only battles, that no one else can see
I work hard, I work smart, they clap and give me awards
But my pockets stay empty, oh Lord, where is my reward?
People I trusted to lift me, they push me to the ground
I ask them why, and silence is the only sound
I'm the first son, first born, all eyes looking at me
Mama's on her knees, praying, crying, let my son be free
She got no brother, no sister, I'm the only hope she has
My siblings looking up, my baby girl watching me pass
I hide the pain, I smile, while tears fall in the night
I wanna run away where nobody knows my name
But I remember my family, and I can't play that game
Sometimes I feel like giving up, Lord knows I try
Who will hold my destiny, if I say goodbye?
Working for the bread, working for the light to shine
Looking for a miracle, hope that it is finally mine
My heart is heavy, mama, but my head is held so high
I see the hunger in their eyes, I know I cannot lie
I'm the first son, first born, all eyes looking at me
Mama's on her knees, praying, crying, let my son be free
She got no brother, no sister, I'm the only hope she has
My siblings looking up, my baby girl watching me pass
I hide the pain, I smile, while tears fall in the night
I wanna run away where nobody knows my name
But I remember my family, and I can't play that game
I cannot give up yet, the fire's burning deep
Even when the valley's dark, and the mountain's steep
For my family, for the future, I will rise above
I'm trading all my sorrow for a little bit of love
I can't give up yet, no
For my mama, for the kids
I'm the only hope they got
(Ayy, hold on, we rise)
I keep on going, yeah