On and On

[Verse 1: Nick Lupi]

It starts with a young white couple, strugglin' with the hurt
When they first discovered that they couldn't give birth
Searched until they found this young light brown, orphan
Swore that the lord's light had shone down
Upon the Earth, blessed 'em with this generous gift
Complexion suggested that her heritage was mixed
They couldn't wait to adopt
Take her from the mission, start a family and raise her proper
They're tryin' paternalism, define their love in time
This song'd start playin' from the skies above, see
Back then, black meant second-class citizens
So, they never once explained how she was different
Ignored her past, cause in parts of this land
There ain't nothin' worse than the Tar brush, as mine, but
Awareness came with the added pressures of adolescence
A definite chorus of unanswered questions
Lookin' for herself but every mirror seems ugly
She's silent for days, screamin' please love me
Here comes the rain, she lookin' for a fix to fix that self hate, numb the pain

Like, like, you gotta give me something, to, to keep my mind from my problems

She's spinnin' outta control, in time with the melody
Finds herself pregnant, out in the cold
Stranded, with a child she can't raise, dark days, they have to part ways
Leaves her child abandoned
In the care of a system that doesn't
Grows up, move her from to home different sisters and brothers
Killin' her softly as it plays on
She tries to drown out the sound but the pain stays strong
Dancin' like her mother did, fading away from the light
Cries at night the key of the same song

[Hook]

On and on
On and on
On and on
Can't stop, can't stop the song
On and on
On and on
Can't stop, can't stop the song

[Verse 2: Solo]

And it goes on and on and on like forever, four in the home living alone together
Two headstrong boys, a wife and a husband, a life that she never grew accustomed to
Wants so bad to be a father, but his own dad, never showed him how to hold hands
As a child, knew no laughter, pop's heart was stone cold now his grows harder
Stays distant (stays distant), two kids starved for love, longin' for their father's touch
Big brother starts actin' up, hoping to get noticed, provokes his father's fist
Now the house that hope built, is torn apart and replaced by the place where darkness lives
Tells little brother I love you, I'll be back for you
Gives his mother a kiss and then he packs his stuff

He's on his own now, try'na leave it all behind him
But, his own reflection serves to remind him
Dad's eyes, stare back from the mirror's glass
Soundtrack to his hidden past
Now a grown man, hasn't seen his family in years
Miss his little brother but he can't face his fears
Goin' steady with this girl now, she's expecting
Looks like things might just work out

Gives birth May twenty-one, wish his dad was around to see his beautfiul grandson
Things are great, but as years pass, becomes harder and harder to relate
So he retreats, hides behind walls, becomin' a replica of the man that he hates
Like father, like son right, this song plays on in darkness waiting for the sunrise

[Hook]

[Verse 3: Jimmy Nice]

Bruno it's your son speakin'
It's been a while huh, since the night you decided to up and leaves us there
Out to fend for somethin' you pretended to love and then retreat to where you needn't care
Heath, I didn't ask for much but stayin' in touch with me instead of driftin' apart
Escapin' the dismal reality of home, drunk calls to my phone like James it's your father
Mum lost to winter[?], cried as I sat lifeless, told me I was too young to comprehend it
Questionin' your whereabouts, learnt that a single mother's upbringing sure out-weighed long domestics
Mum's playin' both roles, world's got it in for me
Runnin' like my father after girl's golden infamy
Told myself I never seen my son the same, tune in the news about my half-brother came
You told me you were teachin' him guitar, so nice you were trying with Dean, but
Where were you when I was sixteen? The fuck were you when birthday calls?
You should'a been there for my first shave, my first graze off my bike
My friends taught me to ride, your absence taught me I'm a rider
Brought all the kinda, things you try to grasp as a child into focus and mum's home taught me I'm alright

'Shown a likeness between us' says mum seldom, delve deeper I'm sure you're sure to find that
Certain set of traits get past through the further generations like feeding my son and daughter's life
Your's were no longer, playin' the key of our lives
We've grown stronger, forget those ties
Through your cowardly acts I seek courage, keep running with guilt and regret won't tire us
Stop

You can't stop, can't stop the song...