Sister Smoke

Sunday morning, mama frying up the hope in the skillet So much noise but trying real hard to feel it Daddy’s wisdom in the air, got that gospel cadence Plantin seeds in the dirt, deep roots and patience Streetlights on, but still swangin in the park Demons all around, we the light in the dark Generations of wealth, built on love and the Spirit We struggle out loud even haters gotta hear it Sign of the cross, through the storms and the rain We rise from the mud, gettin outta dem chains Ain’t got a dollar, but in God we trust We hustle in the dirt, and we lie in the dust Rosary on the mirror grain gripping the wheel Slab crawling slow, but the message is real From the pews to the porch, we writing the story Pain turned to power, no need for the glory Grandma’s prayers still echo in my head Bringing us back to the wine and the bread Fightin the battle gettin help from the dead Grandma’s prayers still echo in my head From the back porch talks to the midnight masses We carry our crosses and the suffering passes Sign of the cross, through the storms and the rain We rise from the mud, gettin outta dem chains Ain’t got a dollar, but in God we trust We hustle in the dirt, and we lie in the dust Faith and family, grindin on the the block World wanna shake us, we just stand on the rock Ain’t got a dollar, but in God we trust We hustle in the dirt, and we lie in the dust Ain’t got a dollar, but in God we trust We hustle in the dirt, and we lie in the dust

Let me tell y’all what love ain’t… I know what love is and it just don’t stop Yeah, I know what love is and it just don’t stop But I can tell it better when I say what love’s not Yeah, I can tell it better (when I say what love’s not) Love, what is it, a solid or a liquid? Question asked from inner space to outer limits Love, what is it, a solid or a liquid? Love ain’t child support, an’ weekends twice a month, If you don’t stay when it heavy, boy, you ain’t knew it once. Naw, love ain’t child support, an’ weekends twice a month, I know what love is and it just don’t stop Yeah, I know what love is and it just don’t stop But I can tell it better when I say what love’s not Yeah, I can tell it better (when I say what love’s not) Love’s not caught in mug shots or drug spots Love’s not sex or who you do next Love’s not Mmm, caught in mug shots or drug spots Love is patient and kind, sight for the blind Love was born before time, transforming your mind Love is body and blood, bread and wine Love is God divine, crucified for mankind I know what love is and it just don’t stop Yeah, I know what love is and it just don’t stop But I can tell it better when I say what love’s not Yeah, I can tell it better (when I say what love’s not) Yeah… when I say what love’s not…

Can’t tell the truth from the lie, Lord show me the sign, Voices sound holy but the spirit ain’t right. Screens talk sweet, but my soul don’t shake, Is it real or the code, I can’t tell if it’s fake. They say the light gon’ guide me, but the glow look strange, Every face on the timeline start to look the same. Synthetic hallelujahs, echoes in the steel, Preachin’ pretty words, that my heart don’t feel. Carbon copied voices, programmed praise, Got me wonderin’ if the choir even sung in days. I’m scrollin’ through the gospel but the ink don’t bleed, Is it shepherds of the flock, or just code I read? Can’t tell the truth from the lie, Lord show me the sign, Voices sound holy but the spirit ain’t right. Screens talk sweet, but my soul don’t shake, Is it real or the code, I can’t tell if it’s fake. Down South raised, where the church bells rang, Now the bells sound digital, hollow when they swang Voices from the cloud say they know my name, But the smoke be lookin funny without a flame. Pixelized prophets with a million views, But the wisdom sound shallow compared to you. I trust the Lamb, not the algorithm, But the line get blurry in this new-age prison. Can’t tell the truth from the lie, Lord show me the sign, Voices sound holy but the spirit ain’t right. Screens talk sweet, but my soul don’t shake, Is it real or the code, I can’t tell if it’s fake. Deepfake preacher, say what’s true? (Tell me what’s true) Digital choir, singin’ for who? (Singin’ for who) Spirit don’t glitch, the Word don’t fade, But these pixel-made prophets got me feelin’ played. Old hymns hummin’ from my grandma’s pew, When the priest raise the body you know it’s true. Now the saints in heaven gotta start to get down, Cuz the serpent learn code and he crawlin’ around. I ain’t fooled by the shine gotta finish the race, I been washed in the blood, praise His holy face. If the King don’t speak, I don’t trust that feed, Cuz the truth was risen after nailed to that tree. Said when the priest raise the body you know it real. Cuz the truth was was risen and the crowds kneel Can’t tell the truth from the lie, Lord show me the sign, Voices sound holy but the spirit ain’t right. Screens talk sweet, but my soul don’t shake, Is it real or the code, I can’t tell if it’s fake.

Diamond grills on my mind My own shine gets left behind Built this cage with my own hands Every step controlled by the man My sins feel like freedom Mmmm until I try to stop ’em I’m a slave to an algorithm It’s a whisper, it’s prison The evil can’t survive alone I let it in to find a home Velvet thighs look on time Another soul is all mine The flesh kills but it’s so sweet I can’t stop dancing to its beat My sins feel like freedom Mmmm until I try to stop ’em Every screen every light Leads me straight to the night I try to stop but my strength fades Buried deep in the life I’ve made I’m a slave to an algorithm It’s a whisper in a prison The evil can’t survive alone I let it in to find a home My sins feel like freedom Mmmm until I try to stop ’em I can’t keep playing the game To break free gotta call His name Yeshua Yeshua Yeshua

Go to the garden, sinner, see Those precious drops that flow; The heavy load He bore for thee; For thee he lies so low.

I come sick to the doctor of life I come sick to the doctor of life Unclean to the fountain of mercy I come sick to the doctor of life I come sick to the doctor of life May I receive the bread of angels May I receive the bread of angels King of kings and Lord of lords May I receive the bread of angels May I receive the bread of angels I now receive Your beloved Son I now receive Your beloved Son May I one day see him face to face I now receive Your beloved Son I now receive Your beloved Son

Oh Spirit, stay with me, don’t ever let me go, You’re the fire and the water, the love my soul must know. Source of heavenly water, wash my soul tonight, Consuming fire, burn away my spite. Ardent charity, melt this heart of stone, Spiritual unction, claim me as Your own. Oh Spirit, stay with me, don’t ever let me go, You’re the fire and the water, the love my soul must know. Spirit of love and truth, whisper what is real, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, teach my heart to heal. Spirit of counsel and fortitude, steady me to stand, Spirit of knowledge and piety, guide me with Your hand. Oh Spirit, stay with me, don’t ever let me go, You’re the fire and the water, the love my soul must know. Spirit of the fear of the Lord, humble all my pride, Spirit of grace and prayer, keep me by Your side. Spirit of peace and meekness, calm my storm within, Spirit of modesty and innocence, keep me pure again. Oh Spirit, stay with me, don’t ever let me go, You’re the fire and the water, the love my soul must know. Holy Spirit, the Comforter, hold me when I fall, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, cleanse me through it all. Every name I call You, every breath I pray, Holy Spirit, sweet Spirit, never walk away. Oh Spirit, stay with me, don’t ever let me go, You’re the fire and the water, the love my soul must know. Oh Spirit, stay with me, don’t ever let me go, You’re the fire and the water, the love my soul must know.

Shinin’ in the dark, you my truth, you my light, Hold me in the storm, keep me strong through the night. World gettin’ cold, but you make it feel right, You the fire in my soul, you the reason I fight. Splendor of the Father, brightness in the night, King of all glory, my soul’s guiding light. Sun of all justice, the refuge I’ve found, Treasure of the faithful, You never let me down. Shinin’ in the dark, you my truth, you my light, Hold me in the storm, keep me strong through the night. World gettin’ cold, but you make it feel right, You the fire in my soul, you the reason I fight. Mighty and patient, humble heart so true, Author of all life, I owe it all to You. Good Shepherd of the weary, leading me home, Wisdom everlasting, I know I’m not alone. Shinin’ in the dark, you my truth, you my light, Hold me in the storm, keep me strong through the night. World gettin’ cold, but you make it feel right, You the fire in my soul, you the reason I fight. Zealous for the broken, strength when I fall, Peace for the restless, You answer my call. Crown of the saints, my refuge, my song, Eternal goodness holdin’ me strong. Example of virtue, the way and the life, Purity and mercy cut sharper than a knife. Infinite goodness, my soul’s sweetest friend, From beginning to the ages, forever without end. Shinin’ in the dark, you my truth, you my light, Hold me in the storm, keep me strong through the night. World gettin’ cold, but you make it feel right, You the fire in my soul, you the reason I fight. Shinin’ in the dark, you my truth, you my light, Hold me in the storm, keep me strong through the night. World gettin’ cold, but you make it feel right, You the fire in my soul, you the reason I fight.

When the storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Rain gon’ fall, but it can’t hold me down. Cross get heavy, gotta spread them wings, Risin’ through the pain, hear the angels sing. Yeah, the storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Rain gon’ fall, but it can’t hold me down. Cross gettin heavy, watch the angels fly. Grindin in the dirt, get low to rise high. Make me poor in spirit, Lord, fallin’ to my knees, Feelin’ low and empty, beggin’ for some peace. Make me meek and humble, gonna wear that crown, The proud keep a risin’, but the truth comes down. Make me mourn in sorrow, gonna find their rest, Crawlin in the valley, where the soul can’t rest. Make me hungry, broken hands reachin’ for the light, Gonna taste that freedom when the day turns bright. When the storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Rain gon’ fall, but it can’t hold me down. Cross get heavy, gotta spread them wings, Risin’ through the pain, hear the angels sing. Yeah, the storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Rain gon’ fall, but it can’t hold me down. Cross gettin heavy, watch the angels fly. Grindin in the dirt, gettin low to rise high. Make me merciful, though they treat me wrong, Love the ones I hate, yeah gotta stay strong. Make my heart clean as the morning dew, No shadows remain, just the holy and the true. Make me a peacemaker, standin’ where it burns, I gotta go first, not wait on their turn. Make them mock me, and call me weak, Lion of Judah gonna be waitin on me. When the storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Rain gon’ fall, but it can’t hold me down. Cross get heavy, gotta spread them wings, Risin’ through the pain, hear the angels sing. Yeah, the storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Rain gon’ fall, but it can’t hold me down. Cross gettin heavy, watch the angels fly. Grindin in the dirt, gettin low to rise high. Yeah, storm keep blowin’, I’ma hold my ground, Yeah, storm keep blowin’, but it can’t hold me down. Yeah, storm keep blowin’, but I’m built to fly. I’m grindin in the dirt, gettin low to rise high.

They walked through fire they sang through chains Their whispers rising above the plains The lion roared in their silent cries A kingdom won though the body dies Echoes of the flame they burn they burn For the lamb who died but will return The bread was broken the cup was poured Washed in the blood of the Lord They stood in shadows where fear was loud A crown of thorns above the crowd The prince they followed though paths were grim Eyes fixed on light that never dimmed What is this power that love can hold Turning hearts to fire turning dust to gold Echoes of the flame they burn they burn For the lamb who died but will return The bread was broken the cup was poured Washed in the blood of the Lord The earth will quake the stars will fall But their voices rise above it all A song of courage a hymn of grace The lion waits beyond the grave The earth will quake the stars will fall But their voices rise above it all A song of courage a hymn of grace The lion waits beyond the grave

People just some property — (That’s what they say, that’s what they say.) People just some property — (Lord, it ain’t right, it ain’t okay.) Back in the day, they said a slave weren’t a man, Back in the day, Lord, said a slave weren’t a man. Laid freedom in the grave by a cruel and wicked hand— Back in the day, they said a slave weren’t a man. Now the same old lies just wear a different face, Yeah, the same old lies just wear a different face. Sayin’ a human ain’t a person—easy to erase— Yeah, the same old lies just wear a different face. People just some property — (That’s what they say, that’s what they say.) People just some property — (Lord, it ain’t right, it ain’t okay.) Mmm, the world’s gettin’ colder, love slippin’ into sin, Yeah, the world’s gettin’ colder, love slippin’ into sin. Ain’t no sound for the voiceless, they never get to win— Mmm, the world’s gettin’ colder, love slippin’ into sin. History done told us the price of stayin’ blind, Yeah, history done told us the price of stayin’ blind. But truth gonna rise up, angels gonna ride— Yeah, history done told us the price of stayin’ blind. People just some property — (That’s what they say, that’s what they say.) People just some property — (Lord, it ain’t right, it ain’t okay.) People ain’t nothin but property… Gotta wake up now, Lord, before we run out of time. Gotta wake up now, Lord, before we run out of time.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace, Where hate runs deep, let my love increase. Where there’s hurt, let me bring grace, And shine Your light in the darkest place. Where there’s doubt, Lord, help me believe, Where there’s despair, new hope to weave. When shadows fall and joy’s run dry, Let me bring laughter before I cry. Oh, good Lord, keep me low and kind, Teach me to heal what pain I find. Not to be loved, but to show Your love, Not seek the crown, but the hand above. Don’t let me chase to be consoled, But lift the broken weak and old. Don’t let me beg to be understood, Just lend me words to do some good. For when I give, that’s when I gain, When I forgive, I lose my chains. And when I die to this here life, I’ll ride with You up to that light. Oh, good Lord, keep me low and kind, Teach me to heal what pain I find. Not to be loved, but to show Your love, Not seek the crown, but the hand above. And when this breath fades outta sight, Let me ride with You up to that light. And when this breath fades outta sight, (c’mon) Let me ride with You up to that light.

Got shadows on my doorstep, whispers in the wind, Temptation dressed in silver, tryin’ to pull me in. But I done seen the end, I done walked in flames, Been consumed by the fire, now I don’t fear no pain. Ain’t no rest for the wicked, so if you comin’, c’mon, Standing right here, with my hand on the psalm. You can rattle your chains, they won’t rattle long. Ain’t no rest for the wicked—so if you comin’, c’mon. There’s serpents in the valley, wolves out in the field, But I wear that armor heavy, made of mercy and steel. You can test my soul, boy, try to see me fall, But I came from the mud, yeah where you still crawl. And the wolf may howl, and the snakes may moan, But the Lion walks beside me—no I don’t walk alone. Ain’t no rest for the wicked, so if you comin’, c’mon (if you comin c’mon) Standing right here, with my hand on the psalm. You can rattle your chains, they won’t rattle long. Ain’t no rest for the wicked—so if you comin’, c’mon. (if you comin c’mon) You can knock on my door with your fear and your lies, But the blood of the Lamb done already ride. You can call my name in the dead of the night, But the Strength of my Heart fights my fight. Ain’t no rest for the wicked, so if you comin’, c’mon, I’m standing right here with my hand on the psalm. You can swing your blade, but you already gone— Ain’t no rest for the wicked… So if you comin’, c’mon.

Ain’t no rest for the wicked, so if you comin’, c’mon,
Standing right here, with my hand on the psalm.
You can rattle your chains, they won’t rattle long.
Ain’t no rest for the wicked, so if you comin’, c’mon.