Words, 2006 - Sho Baraka, Amisho Baraka Lewis

All I wanted a perfect life

Some perfect kids and a perfect wife

Some perfect days and some perfect nights

Even though I’m flawed, I should be alright

A child with special needs didn’t fit in my plans

I’m a needy man, wanting more that what you put in his hands

All I wanted was a perfect family core

Now I’m envying the family next door

Trying not to trust therapy more than God

I am walking the street where fear and love collide

I am learning in weakness, you still gotta serve

And my connection with my boys is way deeper than words

But damn, words, I thrive with 'em

Words are my life, my career, I survive with 'em

I’m given a life sentence that words can’t fix

Now we both live in a world that don’t make sense

Yeah, maybe words don’t say much

Maybe we don’t need words to communicate our love

My sons are not a punishment or an accident

Just a little abstract masterpiece of what the Master did

I try not to doubt the power of prayer

But many times, I just feel like the power ain’t there

Some days I’m feeling good, some days I’m feeling torn

I’m getting praise for activities a father should perform

I get applause when I excel, thank you

Is there grace for me when I fail and I’m feeling shameful?

Yeah, well, maybe words don’t say much

Maybe we don’t need words to communicate our love

My father said he needed greater trust in the Lord

And the Lord used cancer so he could trust in Him more

He died without complaining, that’s when I understood

He taught me more in his silence than a sermon ever could

Words can be lies to help us disguise our phoniness

Feeling insecure in the midst of pride and loneliness

I learned the meaning of contentment really fast

Wanting change while appreciating everything that you have

Yeah, maybe words don’t say much

Maybe we don’t need words to communicate our love

Maybe words don’t say much

Maybe I should just learn to shut up

Only you know

Only you know

Ohhh, ohhhh, ohhhh

Only you know

Only you know

Ohhh, ohhhh, ohhhh

Truth is your presence speaks much louder than when a choir sings

I never knew I’ll find joy up in the smallest things

The counsellor said «Live long, love strong, stick together

This is a thorny rose you two will carry forever

Find value in your interactions, and not in your treasure

Find strength in Jesus, increase your faith in good measure

Avoid evil, your kids need a home that is peaceful

Don’t be a passive man, understand that your family needs you

Pray for healing, hoping they find a cause»

But after all, I resolved, you are not a problem to solve

Maybe I wouldn’t change you

Maybe I’m just unable to see your potential

Because I’m blinded by the labels

Yeah, maybe words don’t say much

Maybe we don’t need words to communicate our love

Maybe words don’t say much

In that moment, we had a breakthrough

Silence, I want to thank you

In that moment, we had a breakthrough

Silence, I want to thank you