Tested Testimony

The Virginia Assembly in 1664 decreed
That it was indeed possible for Africans
To be both enslaved and Christians

Gettin' older, dealin' with aches and pains, breaks and strains
Things I once did with ease ain't the same
Pour my stake in it while they tryna stake they claim
A cave that was heard way back, grade A complain
Never just along for the ride, I take the reins
Finger jams, give 'em commands, can't wait to explain
Ain't no money in my safe, took the safest lane
Once carved in they hearts, can't erase your name
Was blind and now I see state of the art
Only provision's the vision, never cater to dark
Though the circle so many adore, it don't save or start
Through whatever, stick together, never made it apart

Can't afford to have one wasted or fall through
'Cause if one make it, we all do
Can't afford to have one wasted or fall through
'Cause if one make it, we all do

Thoughts that mustered like a mustard seed
A hundred, the best among you struggle with lust and greed
Agreed, when you give much, much is received
If ain't livin' life in crisis, I don't trust your need
Did a lot of mourning, friends ain't make it overnight
I'm too stressed, no food left, it's hard to know what's right
Sends from attempts to cut us down, we grew out of spite
Passed it to our last resort, sure, we might
For me, it ain't just where I'm at, it's where I'm from
Grew old, still uphold some things since I was young
Every fellow plan from ghetto stand on how it's rung
Put moms first, 'cause Earth can't live with a dying son

Can't afford to have one wasted or fall through
'Cause if one make it, we all do
Can't afford to have one wasted or fall through
'Cause if one make it, we all do

Success is by committee, never all you
It's never all you
Success is by committee, never all you
How did the African soul survive this dark day?
By the power of spirituality
Everybody talking about Heaven ain't goin' there, you see
Because they would say
How can you believe in God and do this to me?