The Boy Who Played the Harp

This is God's plan, He said it to me

An angel either side of my bed in a dream

Singin', "You don't know what you've yet to achieve

And you're destined for some shit you would never believe"

Now the garden same size as Adam and Eve's

I got trees, a forest, you better believe

For the bass and the treble, I treble the fee

I can't wish my ex the best, she would end up with me

How can I sleep when there's money to get with the team?

You disrespect the 16, your head on a beam

For the lust of the money, the head of the Queen

I done shit I didn't think I could ever redeem

I'm from South where they struggle with sayin' your name

But it's easy when pronouncin' you dead on the scene

So when you see me on these stages steppin' in clean

I hope

You know it's history in the makin'

Shall we make it? Oh, God

Yeah

And when they talk on my name in this country, they gon' tell you that I'm already a legend (can we make it?)

Streatham that I'm reppin', clean steppin', bro, you need to forget it

Fuck eco-friendly, my car eco-aggressive (yeah)

And my ego aggressive (yeah), you better leave me a message

Yeah, you've done it for a year, but that ain't impressive

I give a fuck about success if it ain't successive, that ain't (history)

City's gonna listen on repeat (yeah)

Gone a couple summers, so they miss me on the beat (whoo)

It don't matter if she pretty and petite

If she ain't B, she can't even kiss me on the cheek (yeah)

Mum said, "Never build a house on sand"

But I don't think I listen cah the villas by the beach

And I did it off of beats (yeah), I just whip it and I screech (yeah)

Any time you see my niggas in the streets

You know it's history in the makin' (makin')

Shall we make it? Oh, God

Did I, did I get addicted to the life?

Well, it's all that I wanted

And it was fun for a while

But history smiles on us

Now we're on to somethin'

On to somethin' higher (ah)

Now hold my hand close

I'm inspired

And I'm holdin' on to a version of our lives

Where you're still mine

You know it's history in the makin' (ooh)

Shall we make it? Oh, God

Yeah

My mum told me what my name really means and the powers just kicked in

Got me thinkin' back to days when I was a victim to this ting

Thinkin' I was keepin' it balanced

I was even embarrassed, sellin' CDs in Paris

But this music gave me everything I need in a marriage

I can't speak sideways on grime, jungle or garage

When I know that it's the reason we managed to make (history)

Don't be a hero, I ain't lookin' to hurt anyone

I got a clean one, and I got a dirtier one

I never see a man late to his own funeral, but

I done see a man show up early to one

I prefer the one that's slim, but I don't mind me the curvier one, yeah

And I'm comin' from the South of the river, where the sky is black

If not for the history that we made, they wouldn't like rap

Niggas tryna water down our ting, it's time to fight back

For 70 hours, I've been steppin' with powers, and it's definitely ours, it's time

You mention my name, better know that you're playin' with pepper

You borrowed a mil', and I told him to pay me whenever

Knew it was different from the moment we came in

And you can call me 'cause I said it verbatim

The woman with me like a renaissance paintin'

I'm Michelangelo's David

And any time you mention me in a statement, you better know that it's

History

Admittance is the key to start the healin' right

But I didn't wanna eat that humble pie, no, I

Father God, forgive me

It's been a couple years, there may be more that I ain't prayed

Even longer I ain't been to church, God, I'm ashamed

Embarrassed of my ways, but still, I'm askin' for Your grace

Feel like I been led astray

By the drinkin' and the spirits I let take me when I ride

And the ladies in the night

Most people, they got demons, I got angels that I fight

Tryna save you from my plight

I pray I make it to thе light

South London where we liе

Abdullah died at sixteen, and I still feel that same rage

Cah we all gettin' older and he still the same age

It's his twenty-seventh birthday, in his pic, he's fourteen

Back when we would all dream

There's Stephanie, she lived at fourteen

And he lived at number seventeen, and I was number twelve

When I used to think that if I'd skip church, I go to Hell

So when they ask about grief and how it feels, I know it well

I missed his tenth anniversary in 2024

I know the value of this picture, we ain't gettin' any more

Then I go, and I get angry, God, like, "Why'd you take him for?"

He was just a baby

All these emotions that I'm feelin', it's the strength I pray for

God, for anyone that's with us that can vouch I pray for

Pray that I feel less lonely in this house I prayed for

I pray that

Yeah

With this cross that you bear on me

Can you look after my mum? She probably used her last prayer on me

Can't let the Devil in, there's repentance in the Bible, God, remind my ex of this

Feel like we was meant for this, move mountains and boulders

We at them ages where our parents gettin' older, may they never need a shoulder

I done shit I can't condone, wrote sermons on my own

I'm in church, more worried 'bout the service on my phone

And on Judgement Day, are You gonna write it in my sins?

Cah my nigga, he got cancer, and I'm lyin' to his kids

God, I'm tryin', but it hits me in my heart

I done lost so many niggas that's been with me from the start

Then I pray for quick change and I ain't even try it fast

All I ever did was ask, shattered glass, crucifixes on my chest

Pray to purchase a Patek, for my church, they cut a check

How am I tryna pray for Congo with these diamonds on my neck?

There's a father and there's a son

Pray that I can show him how to love a woman through his mum

Because I never got the chance, and I just want the best

For my three little nieces that I carry on my chest

I'm prayin' for my managers, I'm prayin' for their wives

'Cause God knows that they're the ones that sacrifice their lives

I would've said their names, but God, you know who I mean

I'm prayin' for my brothers, God, protect us on the streets

I had the steak at Carbone and didn't pray before I eat

It's like I call You when I need You, and I don't, we don't speak

Ground rules for my niggas found schools back at Lambeth Town Hall

I helped him pray, but didn't know that it was on my downfall

So when I'm ice cold

When no blood is in my veins, numbers on my days

Will I say I love this life of rain?

I'm just prayin' that my purpose can justify my pain

I'm just prayin' that my purpose can justify my pain

My mum used to creep in my room and put oil and a cross on my head

Anoint me and probably read a verse like Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd", and maybe Matthew 4

"The word is my weapon tonight"

If I can't pray for peace, then I just pray we win the war

It's been twenty-six years, I don't know what I'm fightin' for

Well, maybe it's a place to fill your everlastin' light

In a world where kids that die get a second chance at life

Christ, I don't know what to say to You

I pray to You, forgive me for the days I had a reason to

And I ain't had faith in You

You did it for the sake of me and how I've forsaken You

I prayed for new shoes and I used them to walk away from You

Made it out with drugs, swapped the pen for the needles

And I just found a different way to poison my people

You could say it's testimony that I'm tellin' them my story

But how we sellin' them the Devil, still givin' God the glory?

Can I pray?

Weapons

No weapon that's been fashioned against me shall prosper

My niggas had to take a risk and prosper

What's left for me?

And I said

Go check man's CV, hand ting in a LV, speedy

She got a BBL, if I put that chick on a BMX, now she'll wheelie

I got it on me if you see me, and mandem are getting too touchy-feely

Yeah, speaking freely, I left her behind cah my people need me, and

Life never showed me the T's and C's

Never showed me the decency

Bad lil' one like Alicia Keys

I been locked in with no sleep

Mum said, "Back by the evening, please", we don't need them streets, they're the reason

South London is RIP's and 3s and G's and a cam for my Jesus piece, there's

Weapons

No weapon that's been fashioned 'gainst me shall prosper

My niggas had to take a risk and prosper

What's left for me?

And I said weapons

No weapon that's been fashioned 'gainst me shall prosper

My niggas had to take a risk and prosper

What's left for me? (No weapon that is formed against me shall-shall pro-prosper)

And I said

I'm praying for more life, more money, more success, more stacks for them

Yeah, more platinum plaques for them, this didn't happen by accident

Any tongue that rise against me gonna fall, and that's why a man can't chat to them (no, no, no)

Waiter talkin' 'bout minimum spend, rudeboy, I'm tryna find out the maximum

Jot that down, been there, so I can't pop that down

What you know about mum ain't got cash, so you gotta go shopping in lost and found?

Slow down, rudeboy, you don't know me

Cut through South West on a low-key, huh

Corden's on my estate, we doin' Carpool Karaoke

I'm in the middle of the party, but I don't dance in France, yeah

I got a sexy one tryna flirt and distract me from the righteous path

Still want one of them Clermont Twins, the allegations are dark, huh

But at least I know she gon' do me and my darg

God, forgive me, I don't mean that, let me face my Bible and sing my Psalms

Can't let nobody read my palms, ain't no none of them paigon beliefs

I just wanna say that I built something I can give to my kids, that I gave to my niece

So her name's on a lease, and my mumsy's words are the prayers that we keep, and they sound like

Weapons

No weapon that's been fashioned 'gainst me shall prosper

My niggas had to take a risk and prosper

What's left for me?

Tryna find what's find what's left inside in the dorms

And the guys and we stepped inside

And I said weapons (stepped inside with a-)

No weapon that's been fashioned 'gainst me shall prosper

My niggas had to take a risk and prosper

What's left for me?

I was baggin' up buj on the Eastside

Sellin' that K on the Westside, just tryna graduate

I was baggin' up buj on the Eastside

Sellin' that K on the Westside, just tryna graduate

I was baggin' up buj with the weapons

No weapon that's been fashioned 'gainst me shall prosper

My niggas had to take a risk and prosper

What's left for me?

Wagyu on the fifty-second floor just to take the piss

And somehow we've had to deal with higher stakes than this

You're the reason that I take the risk

Had me on your tour team, I studied you since I was fourteen

I wanna know what life was like in your teens, we shared dreams

And even when we shared screens, I couldn't get no face time

I got questions like, "How'd you do it?", "Do you have regrets?", like, "What's your life like?"

See, mine was like thе sun settin'

Pray the moon shine, it's thе prohibition, no ignition

Ran for two parties, it's the coalition

Rum and Red Bull like Max Verstappen, but the race is different

Taste is different, this adult dances in my pole positions

Youngers dyin' like they saved the game and could reload the mission

Wearin' jewellery, heard they're plottin' on me when I walk my ends

It's South London, somethin' you can't teach Streatham common sense

Eatin' healthy cah we trust our guts more than we trust our friends

Many frauds, lot of man fake, lot of imitators, innovators

Take that shit to heart like defibrillators, pah, pah, pah

Mothers shed tears and don't sleep for days, weep for days

And killers celebrate with ID parades, then you got this scene I face

And this pressure I inherited from you, it sounds funny, but it's true

I loved you on the big screen, but bro, I want you back

'Cause what actin' gained with you, we done lost in rap

You got a lot of years ahead of you

Some years'll worsen you and some will better you

If it's not positive, drop it, the street's residue

But keep a piece of yourself when you're sellin' you

This game ain't for the throne, and kings are checkable

It's to be a better you, envy's inevitable

And please take pics with your friends 'cause I'm tellin' you

This industry attention will sever crews

And the sick turns to an addiction of the jealous Jews

Till they diss you again like you ain't fed 'em food

But if you whip Cullinans 'front of desperate yutes

You christen a Benz, then the Devil's due

Them's the rules

You made it, lay in it, this bed ain't new

But let's keep it true, you know you're reckless with Pateks and jewels

Flexers do what flexers do, and steppers do what steppers do, beef

Lookin' over your shoulder every time you turn keys

'Bout turned the other cheek, must a man be the bigger man?

I know he's trapped the fire, but it's the mass of giants

These be guessin', take it on the chin, you're an Aston buyer

And I'm biased, but my generation got the classic writers

Your gen', that's mostly your pain, you're the rap messiah

You and Simbi, go grab the accolades that they would never give me

But that's another story, I ain't goated for the glory

Couple trophies in my storage, poor me

Ivor Novello don't rate a man, so be it

I was in '03 on the mic gettin' lourdy

You think you would have flourished in my era at one-forty?

It's quick to break jollof with you, swap knowledge

But sorry I didn't make no time back at Troxy

I watched your soundcheck that day, I saw promise

Then I came to your O2 show, I saw polish

But durin' all the pyrotechnics, I was ponderin', like

Do you have family, politics and problems?

Can you ever see when you're just someone's wallet?

Have you ever smelt when a cousinship turns rotten?

Tell me, do you ever hear from your brother and start sobbin'?

Tell me, have you ever touched a million and felt off-ish?

Tell me, have you ever tasted victory and didn't want it?

There was five senses, I'll make sense to true bosses

I've got a sixth sense for knowin' there's truly from it

Bond Street donny, I know what the same cloth is, I know what the game offers

Raise boffin, bake off in the sunshine till I lay in coffin, legacy

Will they remember me, Dave?

Well, I guess we don't know, that's why we wake up, go get it by ourselves

And I'd love to tell you yes, but bro, I question that myself

Health, wealth, happiness, all somebody really needs

And some water I can give to my seed (Uh-huh)

Heart cold like Courchevel, core Chanel

Tortoiseshell glasses that I bought this girl

Toured the world, love, I can't seem to find it

This the shit I do for women, I don't even like 'em

Bro, I need some guidance

Guida—? Bro, I ain't no relationship advisor

But all of this defence won't make you strike her

God loves a trier, David loves a liar

But even a harp's half a heart, so why could Cupid fire?

Ayy, where's she from this time? Do your ting, bro

Every time, I see your new ting, bro

'Cause you don't date, you Duolingo

Ayy, big bro

I don't know where you got that info, but that wasn't me

I need that in record and in writin'

But still, I love the game, it's enticin'

I moved out West, and it's nice in these days, we drivin'

Ah, your lifestyle bougie, lifestyle bougie

I used to push a silver Porsche with two seats

Leatherbacks, cosy baby seats in the SUV

You know I've been Naij' and I've never had Egusi

So, blud, what was you eatin'?

Fried plantin

You ain't have the pepper soup, G? And it's "Plantain"

But trust me, that's all gucci, listen

I was in Jamaica havin' cow foot soup

In the middle of Greenwich like I'm a real ghetto yute

Touched uptown Monday and my killies gon' shoot

I don't fuck with the gang, just till I'm billin' up a zoot

Got me feeling like

I must really have eyes in the back of my head

Range Rover television, the interior red

Fell asleep in the whip becah it feel like it a bed

I just wanna give thanks for this life to me

Look, mic check, one, two, three, school dinners

Now we sacked off the sacks off of sea-salt livin'

I'm go-fundin' to bring back peaceful villains

Cah all these thirty-eight years, that's a evil sentence

Like, "I don't love you no more"

Dave, I used to be married to the game, I'm a husband no more

All these SM7Bs ain't for us like they're for

Mike Billie-Jeaned on that, they just discuss couple wars

And they short-change us

Paper chasin' all good till it's divorce papers

Newspapers, court papers, they all write my wills

They gon' talk about your won'ts, then they divide your wills

That's how family feels, growin' up so fast

Twenty-six, feelin' like our lives on timers

Lines in the face, she gettin' fillers to hide it

And hoes lyin' 'bout their age like Nigerian strikers (Haha)

Sorry, waiter, can I get this food in containers?

Had to move, it was dangerous

Seen beautiful places, bro, I used to have braces

Now it's my driver that's on a retainer

But that's just testament to God in His favour

And, bro, I wanted a favour

Let's see each other more, catch up and make deeds

'Cause the fans, they miss you, I know the fans, they miss me

Let's make a track about this dinner and this stamp you gave me

And base it on the Book of Samuel, call it "Chapter 16" if you're down

So who's gonna get this one then?

Aight, that's cool

So what's her name?

Nah, I'm just fuckin' with you, just do your thing, man

But trust me, don't overthink it

Like it is what it is, if it's gonna be somethin', it's gonna be somethin'

But I know you, I know what you're like

You're thinkin' five, ten years down the line

Day at a time

Let's get the party started

See you at the bar, you was hardly talkin'

That's when I knew that your heart was scarrin'

Friends to lovers, need a part to star in

Like, "Wait, babe, let me ask your pardon"

This ain't Gucci, this is Prada, darlin'

If you want somethin', you can ask me, darlin'

Then you started laughin' 'cause you think I'm jokin'

But lookin' in your eyes is the best thing

Brake lights giving you the red skin

You was in a bad mood from we stepped in

Though you checked out 'fore we even checked in

On the phone, you gon' vent to your best friend

The one who gave me the lecture, but I ain't gon' sweat you, babe

I'ma let you catch up with your boy, undress you

And let me tell you why I'ma bless you

It's the way my mind is fallin' away

In my heart, I know you feel the same

When you're with me, you know I'm all you need

You're where I wanna be, my darling, can't you see?

I love you

I love you

I love you

I love you

I love

Fell into you

Say you want me in the mood

Tryna hide my feelings for you

Don't wanna argue, not with you

Tell me why you're so in denial

Hold me close, don't tell me good night

Are you down to get me?

Tell me when you're ready (uh), I'm ready

We can get into it or we can get intimate

The shower when you sing in it

Better than Beyoncé, I like the sound of "fiancée"

You know, it's got a little ring to it

And really when I think of it

Growin' up, I didn't ever see marriages

No weddings, no horse, no carriages

I wanna do things different and change the narrative

God knows you a wild child, beautiful child, I need your help

Looking like you come from the '90s by yourself

My mum 61, and her favourite line to tell her son is

Sometimes she wish that she had a girl

I wanna take you back to a time, back to a trip

You had that white wine that I never got to sip

And dinner wasn't ruined 'cause you never got to pick

I know that everybody told me that I'm sick 'cause

It's the way my mind is fallin' away

In my heart, I know you feel the same

When you're with me, you know I'm all you need

You're where I wanna be, my darling, can't you see?

(I love you) me and you, never let me go

Me and you (I love you), I'll tell you two times

Me and you, never let me go

Me and you (I love you), tell you two times

It's me and you, never let me go

Me and you, tell you two times

Me and you, never let me go

Me and you, tell you two times

I said lean with it, rock with it (you're the only one I want)

Your finger, I can put a rock in it (you're the only one, my baby)

Fing-finger, I can put a rock in it (you're the only one I want)

Bank card, they can put a block in it (you're the only one, my baby)

Said rock with it, bounce with it (you're the only one I want)

Your left wrist, I can put my house in it (you're the only one, my baby)

You wanna bet, babe? I can put my house in it (you're the only one I want)

Ba-ba-ba-babe, I could put my spouse in it (you're the only one, my baby)

I said shimmy-shimmy, yay, shimmy, shimmy-shimmy, yeah (I want you)

5'9", brown eyes, and she in it, in it

Shimmy-shimmy, yay, shimmy, shimmy-shimmy, yeah (ooh)

5'9", brown eyes, innit, innit?

Shimmy-shimmy, yay, shimmy, shimmy-shimmy, yeah (I)

5'9", brown eyes, and she in, in- (I need you)

Shimmy-shimmy, yay, shimmy, shimmy-shimmy, yeah

5'9", brown eyes

What if I'm selfish? What if I'm the reason behind it?

What if I'm overprotective with family because of how mine is?

What if I'm jealous?

Maybe that's what's making me nervous

What if my effort of pulling you close are pushing you further?

What if I'm selfish?

What if the reason they call me "The Greatest"

Is also the reason that me and you livin' on different pages?

What if I'm too much?

What if I settled and I didn't fight?

What if my fear of doing it wrong's the reason I haven't been doing it right?

What if I'm selfish?

What if the kids just wanna be kids

And don't wanna live in and out of the news and chill

And don't even wanna be rich?

And what if I'm so self-centred that I don't even realise what I could miss?

And what if I'm, what if I'm fallin' in the abyss?

Maybe it's— (What if I'm—)

Yeah

Julia Wolf “In My Room” Lyrics & Meaning | Genius Verified

[Chorus: Dave]

Maybe it's dark, maybe it's day, maybe it's too many nights in L.A.​

Look at the house in Surrey and still, all of the feelings we hid in the Hills

Maybe it's you, maybe it's me, maybe the media or the provoking

Gave you my heart, I laid it bare, funny you went and you poked it

What if it's better with me out the way? What if it's better with me out the—

Like, what if it's better with me out the way?

What if I'm poison? What if I'm cancer?

What if I'm dangerous and I'm wild?

Look in my eyes, you're seein' a child

What if he's broken? What if he's scared?

What if he's ostracised and vilified?

See, peace is just an illusion

Ain't got a home, I live in confusion

What if I'm selfish?

[Verse 2: James Blake]

Forever, forever, forever

I manage the symptoms forever

You can love how you want

I know to give is no loss

Can you settle for second?

And let go of your idea of heaven?

I know it's a lot

But it might be all that I've got

I wanna throw myself in

Snap off the mask

I want a clown that sings

And a love that lasts

I wanna escape the wedding

Go with you to the carriage

I wanna give you my life

Or at least something to [?]

But what if I'm selfish?

[Verse 3: Dave]

I done a lot of things to regret

Like announcin' our split on a text

Don't know why, but I still buy gifts for my ex

Watchin' her stories to see if she checks

I'm a mess, I don't know if my head's in the game

She told me don't mention her name, I'm suggestin' the same

I'ma get through the pain, wanna see the sunshine, gotta get through the rain

Bag full of trauma, I left on the train

I'm ashamed for the days that I said that I changed

I'm a cheat, sat in a therapist chair cryin' like a baby in the middle of a Harley Street

Like I'm fightin' this sickness that I can't beat, I'm disloyal

And then I go mad, reflection tellin' me I'm just my dad

And this white woman tellin' me it ain't so bad

Middle of my sentence she cut me off, like, "Sorry, David, we don't have any more time

"Your appointment till 4 and it's 3:55"

Bruh, I feel like she wouldn't even care if I died

Man, tried all this therapy shit, man, tried all this therapy shit

Bruh, I know, wouldn't even say I'm depressed

But I'm low in the Grosvenor Casino in Edgware Road

I've got too many sins to atone and a voice in my head

Like, at this point, like, at this point where you should've been rich, like

At this point where you should've had kids, like

At this point should've built you a life, like

Look around you, don't you feel you're behind? Like

Look around you, don't you feel you're behind? Like

Look around you, don't you feel like, like

What if I never find love?

Don't know if it's scarier, the thought of us two together or bein' alone

I'm so used to bein' alone

What if I'm somebody nobody wants?

What if I'm damaged or what if waited too long

And have mould on me? What if I'm cold on me?

What if I cut off the hand that I hold on me?

What if I'm rapidly spiralin' and tired and jaded?

Or what if I'm faded? Or what if anxiety's growin' inside me

That I might have left all my best years behind me?

Or what if I'm scared as I touch twenty-seven

That you don't appear in my idea of heaven?

Or what if I'm, what if I'm

​What if I'm selfish?

White fish on the coast of the Caribbean, my life is a film

Hero and villain, I'm playin' both in the script

Worthy of Spielberg or Christopher Nolan readin'

The constant overachievin', I know

I ain't as rich as them people with old money, but I didn't know money

They mock me online for speakin' up on all of our issues

And bein' vocal, the shit that I see on socials, but

How can I stay silent when, when

I'm out in Barbados, white people mistreatin' locals

The villa in Jamaica, but it's owned by the Chinese

Head to the right bеach and they're chargin' us five еach

They say the Caribbean paradise, like, why leave?

But how can I be silent when there's blood on the pine trees?

Most of us would sacrifice our soul for the right fees

Before I find love, I'm just prayin' I find peace

Before I find love, I'm just prayin' I find peace

You know what I believe, I don't know if I handled it well

It's fuck Coca-Cola, did I stop drinkin' Fanta as well?

I could see the blood on the lyrics I write for myself

I cried about slavery, then went to Dubai with my girl

"Surely I ain't part of the problem", I lied to myself

Jewels that my people die for are a sign of my wealth

My work is a physical weight of my life and my health

The last couple years, felt like I been inside on a shelf

I just phoned Cench, and I said, "You inspired myself"

I don't feel a spot of jealousy inside of myself

But when I'm all alone, I won't lie, I question myself

Am I self-destructive? Am I doin' the best for myself?

I know I love music, but I question the rest of myself

Like, why don't you post pictures? Or why don't you drop music?

Or why not do somethin' but sittin' and stressin' yourself?

Ten years I been in the game and I won't lie, it's gettin' difficult

This shit used to be spiritual

We don't need no commentators, we could leave that to the sports

Just listen to the music, why do you need somebody's thoughts?

And some of it constructive, but most of it is forced

And why we countin' the numbers, how the music make you feel?

I'm just bein' real

(Alright)

Yeah

White fish on the coast of the Caribbean, my life is a film

Hero and villain, I'm playin' both in the script

Worthy of Oscar and Hollywood nominations

I'm throwin' money at women in different denominations and killin' the conversation

All them people told me, "Keep grindin', be patient"

It's weird bein' famous, tryna navigate the spaces

Feel like a celebrity, but you ain't on the A-list

And you never drop, so you ain't really on a playlist

But your fans love you, you can see it on their faces

America feels so close that you can taste it

2017, was tryna make it to the ranges

2025, I'm tryna make it to the Grainges

How do I explain me and my soulmate are strangers

That we've already met and I've known her for ages?

How do I explain? Because I'm runnin' out of pages

How do I explain South London and its dangers?

Can't recall the last time that we was all together, but

All I can remember, the Olympics was in Beijing

Move to Dubai, that's for the taxes that they takin'

Or move to Qatar, feel the breeze on the beach

But how can I explain to my kids that it's fake wind?

Free, but I'm broke, have me feelin' like I'm caged in

How do I explain two pounds got you eight wings?

How do I explain my opps lost, but we ain't win?

Girls I'm around had surgery on their hips

How do I explain that I love her the way she is?

How do I explain my feelings of having kids?

That it wasn't what it was, but it is what it is

How do I explain my niggas are in the hood?

And they don't ask for nothin' even though they know they could

'Cause they rather trap, rob and get it on their own

How do I explain these messages on my phone?

I just got a call, my girl's sittin' in the car

And it says "Serge", but Serge with us in the car

I know I might sound like a villain from afar

How do I explain that my mechanic is a chick?

Or why she callin' me when I don't even own a whip because my licence is revoked?

I mean, how do I explain that I don't wanna heal 'cause my identity is pain?

How do I explain, I mean, how do I explain?

I went and hit the streets because I didn't want a boss

I ended up a worker, I was barely gettin' paid

For someone that was two years above me in my age

I didn't even find it strange, I mean, how do I explain?

Yeah

Fifty-two miles from Marseilles, I'm in Miraval

Four years, seventeen days, I ain't been around

I can't lie, it even shocks me that I'm still around

I can't lie, it even shocks me how I'm livin' now

Starin' at this Rachel Jones paintin', I'm sittin' down

The last thing I drew was a weapon, I'm livin' wild

Turned twenty-seven, but I feel like I'm still a child

In this house out in Central London I can barely afford

Six months sober and I feel like I'm Dave again

Drinkin' all my pain and my sorrows away again

I got withdrawal symptoms, but they happen at ATMs

Next two years, I'll be lookin' at eighty M's

Who's the best artist in the world? I'm sayin' Tems

Maybe James Blake or Jim, on the day, depends

Let's see who quits now we ain't gettin' paid again

Yeah

I'm just here drinkin' liquor by myself

Is my music just becomin' a depiction of my wealth?

Never trust a girl whose lock screen's a picture of herself, I had to learn that shit myself

Now I'm sittin' by myself with no girl, like, shit, I really did this to myself

Twenty-seven and I'm terrified of livin' by myself 'cause there's a kid inside myself I haven't healed

And me and him debate each other

I can't love myself, I'm made from two people that hate each other

My parents couldn't even save each other, made each other unhappy

Used to be excited by the block, but size doesn't matter

You supplyin' it or not? Sling a shot, I could've really killed a giant with a rock

But that's a life that I forgot, and my young boys are slidin' over what?

I don't know 'cause I ain't spoke to him in time

Been afraid of gettin' older, scared of bein' left behind

And then I, and then I question, will I live my life in resent?

Is anybody ever gonna take my kindness for strength?

I gave Tisha the world, it weren't enough and then she went

Everybody's makin' content, but nobody's content

Safe space, can I vent? It crept up

My girl cheated on me when I was next up

It made me want her even more, man, it's messed up

I still walk around the Vale with my chest out

I don't wanna leave my house because I'm stressed out

You done me dirty and you didn't even tell a lie

It ain't about what you said, it's what you left out

My whole life, I been feelin' like I'm left out

If you fuck another girl, she say you cheated on her

And if she fuck another man, she say she stepped out

And if you askin' 'bout Dave, they say, "The best out"

Yeah, and I survived through these eras cah I barely made any, I'm just speakin' how I feel

Yeah

Fucked up, speakin' how I feel

Recordin' till the morning, I ain't even had a meal

I dropped Joni home and fell asleep behind the wheel

Drivin' at a hundred an hour, I switched gears

I ain't spoke to 169 in six years

Don't even get me started on—, this shit's weird

Call me what you want, but with music, I'm sincere

You wanna know the reason it's taken me four years?

It's not 'cause I'm surrounded by yes-men and sycophants

It's 'cause I'm with producers and people that give a damn

It's me who's gotta carry the pressure, I live with that

All I thought about was the song we could give the fans

When I was out there gettin' stood up by artists I'm bigger than

I don't want no girls around when my nieces, they visit man

They might see the way that I'm livin', I figured that

I wanna be a good man, but I wanna be myself too

And I don't think that I can do both, so I can't let her too close

It hurts, but I'm still movin', feel like it's me versus me and I'm still losin'

Yo, my boy, it's Josiah, what you sayin'?

You know man had to check you on your fuckin' birthday, my boy

More life, my guy

Man soon out, don't even watch that

What you sayin', though, bro?

I know you got space on one of them eight-minute, nine-minute tracks to give man a shoutout

Tell the people dem my story

Dem man already know what I was on, the mandem know my thing

Come on, bro, I know you got me

Aight, lastly, my sis, Tamah

I beg you check in with her, please, make sure she's blessed

While I'm gone, make sure she's safe

Ayy, soon home, my boy, love

He feel marvellous

He robbed a man and he feel marvellous

Josiah only seventeen, he got that dog in him

I used to see him at my church, it was his marj and him

We know this kid for kickin' ball and he was hard

He could've made it professional, had a trial, we told him, "You got a chance"

My God

We said the streets ain't nothin' nice, he said, "Let's see"

He's tryna take a trip and put that to the test

He's tryna turn four-and-a-half into a nine

Divide that shit into decimals, make it stretch

First time I ever met him, I said he's blessed

But if he can't even keep it real with himself, am I shocked if he's lyin' to me?

Asked my young boy what he's tryin' to be

And he don't want a good girl, he want a ho

He don't want a good job, he want a gun

And he don't wanna kick ball, he wanna bun

And he don't wanna make friends, he want a gang

And he don't wanna stack bread, he wanna bang

How my young boy so different? I don't know, but I pray that God guide him

How my young boy so different? I don't know, but I pray

He feel incredible

He shot a man, he feel incredible

Josiah trappin' twenty-two in two, it's terrible

He wanna travel to the States, he's ineligible

Said he's a criminal

Now he's doin' numbers on his phone, got youngins of his own

A Glock the mandem bought him and a Russian of his own

He's got some paigons that he beefs, evadin' the police

Been goin' crazy from the day he got released

'Cause now he's into Cali weed, Grabba leaf, cocaine, Hennessy

Robberies, bank fraud, OT, enemies

He fuck with Aaliyah, fuck with Lisa, Stephanie

And he got some cases we don't know if he can ever beat

And he look at us like we some people he could never be

We should have never made our youngers hold a 17

All I ever wanted was for you to be a better you

All I ever wanted was for you to be a better me

Fuck about a salary, Josiah smokin' celery

Started recreationally, but now they do it medically

It's weighin' on me, that shit weighin' on me heavily

I think about it regularly, Josiah's in the jailhouse

In penitentiary with charges that were meant for me

Facin' ten potentially, but he was just protectin' me

Before he think to step to me, just know my youngin next to me

And God knows

He don't want a good girl, he want a ho

He don't want a good job, he want a gun (He don't want a good job, he want a—)

And he don't wanna kick ball, he wanna bun

And he don't wanna make friends, he want a gang (He don't wanna make friends, he wanna—)

And he don't wanna stack bread, he wanna bang

How my young boy so different? I don't know, but I pray that God guide him

How my young boy so different? I don't know, but I pray

Yeah

She was twenty-four

Last week, told me somethin' you can't be ready for

I mourn the death of her innocence

I mourn the death of her innocence, let the Henny pour

Some weeks ago, she was in a cab

I felt sick to my stomach 'cause when I listen back

Driver was actin' all forward, I should've drawn the line

She wasn't worried about it, it happens all the time

All the time, said it happens all the time

A little conversation, that's just all it is

Ask couple questions, then he'll call it quits

He ain't even have to ask her where she lives

She was headed to this venue with a couple friends

And I was workin' late, said I'd collect her when the party ends

She goin' to this no-phone party

You know the ones where guys have their phones and all the women there don't

I threw one of them last week, so I don't wanna speak

And when I think about this shit, it cuts deep

You see, Tamah, she like my little sis

So when I asked her to explain to me the story, she said this

I caught a vibe with a guy and then from the off

But somethin' was off, offer me pills and offer me shots

And off of my head, couldn't even say if I was sober or off of my head

I could've danced for days, wouldn't have been a surprise

But let's have a good night, these times are havin' good nights when all the men start drinkin'

And then they feel entitled to more than opinions

You know how that goes and man come to the girls like, "Fuckin' let me get your Snap', innit

Add me back, innit, fuckin' what?

What you doin' after this? What you on? What's wrong?

Why you movin' so stiff? Come back to the AP, what, friend, what?

Don't worry 'bout her, you ain't her dad, that's long

Why follow her home? Call her a cab or what

I feel like I seen you before, what, you from Bex? You know Thames? Fuckin'

Are you gettin' back to ends?"

And I ain't sayin' that's weird, but it kinda is

She busy throwin' up, he's tryna take her to the crib

But that's the culture of the club, right?

All game's fair

And if she don't like it, why she there?

These times, she just wanna go home

But she don't wanna go alone with no battery on her phone

And all her friends are tryna stay

Cah they goin' to somebody's afterparty in a house that's out the way

And then she blacked out

She was gonna leave with them, but somethin' felt off

And then she backed out

When I heard about the time she tried to make it home alone

She said

At Archway, I got out the car

It's quiet and I'm walking up this long hill

Faint sound, cold chills

I swear I just heard a familiar voice

Inside of the club, outside of the club

Was it that first cab? I swear I know the voice

Think fast, that's my only choice

He's comin' up, I hear him runnin' up

I ran and I trip, I fell and I buckle

My belt in a buckle, my keys in my knuckles

He's grabbin' my hair, I'm screamin' to stop

I'm hittin' him hard, it's turnin' him on

The burnin' is gone, my body is so cold and frozen in fear

Acceptin' my fate, his hands on my waist

I think that I threw my keys in his face

I ran and he chased

I stumbled on a group of three that were leavin'

I ran towards them, didn't notice that my feet, they were bleedin'

And that's when I called, prayin' that you'd be there recordin'

The only person that I know who's up at 3 in the mornin'

I sound mad

But if you ain't a girl, I guess you don't know the feelin'

Of watchin' what you wear because you're worried 'bout makin' it home

Walkin' with your phone to your ear and you ain't on the phone

Can't walk on the same side of the pavement alone

Everyone's a fucking good guy and they're makin' it known

But I'm just makin' it known that if you ain't a girl, I guess you don't know the feelin'

Of checkin' the child lock, or seein' the AirTag

A five-minute walk home feelin' like five miles

Maybe if these people would police our cities way they police our bodies

Then maybe, fucking hell

Maybe every woman that I know wouldn't be stuck as well

Danger doesn't look like no killer in a mask

It looks like that flirty cab driver

And guys that feel entitled 'cause you're standin' in their section

Short-tempered men, the ones who struggle with rejection

I knew a girl called

That was in so deep, she thought violence was affection

I ain't know some women wouldn't want a man's help

Because so many of 'em want the same reward for their protection

Danger doesn't look like no killer in a mask

It looks like that kid in the group chat that jokes about—

And he won't ever stop because there's no one to correct him

And he might even do it cah the system would protect him

Algorithm gonna find some people just like him

They hate women too, okay, yeah, fuck it, let's connect him

Homicidal femicidal shit on their suggested

Somebody just asked you on a date, it was your dentist

He just went upstairs and got your number from reception

Used to be nice, said I remind him of his little girl

Two weeks later, he wants a sexual connection

Danger doesn't look like no killer in a mask

Who you even talkin' to?

Women hunted down by the people they say report it to

Honestly, I wouldn't have the solitude or fortitude

Try and humanise, she could be somebody's daughter, you

As if that's the reason them fellas shouldn't slaughter you

God forbid that they offend the people you're belongin' to

Objectify you just the way I do in every song

Tamah was never wrong

Can't trust guys, she never lied

No menicide, it femicide

The catcalls, the long stares

The kind words, the lines blurred

Call her out, impersonate her

All know a victim, don't know a perpetrator

Am I one of them? The men of the past

Who catcalled or spoke in the bars?

I'm complicit, no better than you

I told stories of—, yeah

Can't sit on the fence, that's hardly an option

You either part of the solution or part of the problem

I give her all my love

That's all I do

And if you saw my love

You'd love her too

Yeah

I sometimes wonder, "What would I do in the next generation?"

In 1940, if I was enlisted to fight for the nation, or

In 1960, if I had to fight for the rights of my people

And lay down my life on the line so my grandkids could live a life that's peaceful

Would I be on that? Would I be frontline? That's what I'm thinkin'

If I was alive in the 1912 on the Titanic and it was sinkin'

Who am I savin'? Am I fightin' women and children, or am I waitin'?

I wonder, "What would I do in the next generation?"

Battle of Karbala, if they capturеd me for the sake of my fathеr

Would I stand on my honour like Hussein did it and tell them to make me a martyr?

Would I really get smarter? Forgive my oppressor or stick to the creed?

If I got locked inside like Nelson Mandela, but never was freed

I see a white man dance to rumba, ain't study Patrice Lumumba

But get on the stage and sing like sungba, lajaja-ja-ja, sungba

Fuck it, I wonder, "What would I do in the next generation?"

Would I fight for justice? Is it the reason my mum named me David?

How can you be king, how can you be king, don't speak for the people?

Them man try draw me out and compare like me and these niggas are equal

I'm a Black man and this bozo sayin' my music socially conscious

While the mandem troll the responses, this world's gone totally bonkers

I sometimes wonder, "What would I do in the next generation?"

But I'm knowin' the answer, 'cause what am I doin' in this generation?

Afraid to speak cah I don't wanna risk it my occupation

We got kids under occupation, my parents, they wouldn't get that

The people that died for our freedom spoke on justice, couldn't accept that

I talk 'bout the money in all my accounts, so why don't I speak on the West Bank?

Remember growin' up prejudiced, the damage 7/7 did

Extremists and terrorists, I was afraid of the Taliban

Can't speak out on illegal settlers, now I'm afraid of a shadow-ban

What would I do in the next generation?

Critiquin' African leaders

For sellin' our country's natural resources to the West for peanuts

If they don't hear, they'll feel us

I question what I'm alive for

And can you say you're alive if you ain't got somethin' you're willin' to die for?

What am I willin' to die for? What am I doin' in this generation?

I get in my head sometimes, I feel like I'm in despair

That feelin' of total powerlessness, I get that sinkin' feelin'

That good ain't defeatin' evil

I put that pain on vinyl, but feel like that shit ain't movin' the needle

Retweetin' people, raisin' awareness, in all fairness

Ain't gonna bring Chris back to his parents

But there's no other option, it's a process

Gotta stand and protest cah they want man silenced

Cah they want man dead or they want man hopeless

In the next generation, I spoke with my ancestors in the night and I showed them

They spoke with tears in their eyes for the brothers they lost and said it was progress

"How can it be progress?" I asked him, confused, disgusted

They said, "David, just so you can fight this, you know how much sufferin' touched us?

And you got a chance, we come from a time and a place where you couldn't get justice

Had to find peace in the fact that we all answer to the one what we trust in

And in our generation, we did do peaceful protests, just like you

Burnt buildings, just like you, did boycotts, just like you

Sat in a hostel powerless, did feel powerless just like you

And I know that it may sound strange, but we made some change and we're just like you

I know that you question your character, I know that you suffer in silence

I know that it don't feel right when you go to the club in Victoria Island

'Cause how can you dance in the club? There's a hundred people beggin' outside it

I know the sins of your father, I know that you're desperate to fight them

So step in your purpose, speak for your people, share all your secrets

Expose your emotions, you might not see, but there's people that need it

Never demand it, and if God can grant it, manifest it and receive it

Your name is David, and that covenant sacred, you gotta promise you'll keep it"

Deep it, let man talk on the ting, but I bleed it

Man wanna speak on the scene, but I seen it

Tried in the fire by Ghetts, I'm anointed

Kano passed me the torch, I received it

God told me I'm the one, I believed it

Shout Hollowman 'cause he helped me achieve it

I'm the youngest of my brothers, Father, ease the burden on our mothers

Give these niggas money, see their colours

Don't mix me with them, I'm not the one

Grind and miss the summer, when it comes, I'm Abraham, I sacrifice the sun

Where I'm from, they sacrifice their son

Hold up, I ain't finished, I ain't done

My ancestors, my ancestors told me that my life is prophecy

And it's not just me, it's a whole generation of people gradually makin' change

There ain't a greater task

Shift that, make a name, make a start

They don't know what they're facin' when they ask

With the will of David in my heart

The story of the boy who played the harp