Memories of Old

Intro (Klashnekoff)
I remember walking the street yeah
And being a kid and people used to look at you and smile
That whole phase of just like, yeah…
People were just way more open in regards to speaking to each other
And a bit more, just way more, it seemed more…
Yeah it seemed much more pleasant back then, you nah mean?
In terms of the way people interact with each other…
Yeah, coming back to Hackney and just seeing all the new builds, Et Cetera
And um, just seeing all these people, you know
Quote, unquote middle class people, walking around really happy
Do you know what I’m saying? It was, quite of a shock
It was a bit of a shock…
It was a madness as well, the energy, and when you…
As you’re entering in the park as a young youth and just that..
That energy of the people, do you know what I mean?
Was amazing

[Verse One]
I came a long way from Nightingale, Downs Park and Narroway
Lea bridge, I used to go skating on a Saturday
PJ Records, new releases so I checked em
Wired For Sound was just a couple yards, a couple seconds away
The number seventy-three was Stokey bound from Victoria
Sunny Delight was California
The prefix was 9-8-6 and 9-8-5
And 5-3-3, that’s how you got me on the line
And I tried to keep a look out for who I’d see
Going in and out the borough on the 253
Or the 106, I used to go check Stixx
Chicago Bulls, San Antonio, the New York Knicks
We used to wear the jerseys and share soda when we thirsty
For no backwash, whoever paid would be the first B
Memories of nursery at five years old
And it’s the only place that I call home, you know?

[Chorus]
They say I’m way too grown to represent postcodes
But it’s part of my history
From the memories of old to the people I know
And everything that this place taught me
I’ve been around the world, but I gotta return to the place of my history
From the memories of old to the people I know
And everything that this place taught me
They say it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at
But this place is my history
From the memories of old to the people I know
And everything that this place taught me
Hackney, Hackney, Hackney

[Verse Two]
(Yo), I came a long way from Chatsworth, Shacklewell and Evering
Fights in the school and I’m hyped on adrenaline
Staying out late after class was forbidden
Then my Brother got bitten by a Dog up in Wigan
Going through the alley by the church where they’re born again
I used to get Well Street mixed up with Morning Lane
E5, E8, E9, N16
Older kids are luring younger kids into a quick scheme
We didn’t need crime for danger to feel real
Take a bicycle with no brakes down to Spring Hill
Then you’d see what time it is, this ain’t a joke
So we had to learn to grow a thick skin to be surviving this
Just like performers at the 291 club
I’m never on the stairs of an estate when it stunk of weed and urine
Cos I’d break out, now let the vocal and the beat play out, no doubt

[Chorus]
They say I’m way too grown to represent postcodes
But it’s part of my history
From the memories of old to the people I know
And everything that this place taught me
I’ve been around the world, but I gotta return to the place of my history
From the memories of old to the people I know
And everything that this place taught me
They say it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at
But this place is my history
From the memories of old to the people I know
And everything that this place taught me
Hackney, Hackney, Hackney

[Outro (Klashnekoff)]
Memories of Hackney man! Growing up in the Hood
You get me? Just… just innocent and um
The vibe, do know what I mean?
There was definitely a vibe in the air when I was young of just…
You know, it’s that community spirit, that vibe of just…
Everyone knows everyone, do know what I’m saying?
And everyone’s watching everyone, you know
As in Parents watching Children, Et Cetera
And you’d have to worry about your neighbours telling your Mum
Do you know what I’m saying? If you got in trouble or what-not
Or if you done something wrong or what-not
Um, Hackney Man! Just so many memories...