Steppin’ Up

[Intro: K-Rino]
Sending this one out to the stepdads all around the world
The ones who came in and took all the responsibility
We salute you, man

[Verse 1: K-Rino]
You raise another man’s children, a matter of fact
It’s time to give every stepdad a pat on the back
Fell in love with the woman who was doing it alone
And you took care of her children like they was your own
Took the pressure off of her once you made up your mind
Food, clothes, pocket change, bills paid on time
Didn’t stop ‘cause you took their mother’s hand as your wife
You understood the importance of a man in their life
You didn’t mind ‘cause it was just the right thing to do
Now you love them the same as if they came from you
Had a few negative people all up in your biz
Like, “Why you getting with that girl if she got all them kids?”
Man, tell them folks to “Shut up!”, your purpose is known
The backbone that came along and made the family strong
Don’t let them discourage your efforts, you ain’t did nothing wrong
It’s time to recognize y’all and build you up in this song

[Hook: K-Rino]
So if nobody ever told you, thank you for stepping up
You rode in like a soldier, thank you for stepping up
The situation never fazed them, thank you for stepping up
Wasn’t yours but you raised them, thank you for stepping up
If nobody ever told you, thank you for stepping up
You rode in like a soldier, thank you for stepping up
Right on time when they need you, thank you for stepping up
Stayed with you didn’t leave you, thank you for stepping up

[Verse 2: K-Rino]
These days the average family is so unbalanced
Not many men are willing to take on that challenge
Lot of women got children but their real dad failed them
And they afraid that they gon’ scare a man off when they tell him
But a good man will separate the real and the fake
And whatever responsibility he’s willing to take
Pick them up from school, take them out when she need a break
Cook the food and hold the house down if she running late
If she got a son teach him what’s right and what’s not
Take him to the court with you, help him work on his shot
When he’s stepping out of line, he gon’ pull him in check
Teach him discipline, work ethic, manhood and respect
And if you got girls you don’t have to sit and be nervous
He trustworthy around your daughters, not sick and perverted
That’s a real man, the kind you better stick by hard
He the answer to your prayers, sister—sent by God

[Hook: K-Rino]
So if nobody ever told you, thank you for stepping up
You rode in like a soldier, thank you for stepping up
The situation never fazed them, thank you for stepping up
Wasn’t yours but you raised them, thank you for stepping up
If nobody ever told you, thank you for stepping up
You rode in like a soldier, thank you for stepping up
Right on time when they need you, thank you for stepping up
Stayed with you didn’t leave you, thank you for stepping up

[Verse 3: K-Rino]
You committed from the start and stuck with it for years
Even if he got his own, he treat hers like his
Sometimes they don’t like the stepfather, of course
Especially if their real daddy and their momma’s divorced
So they think you’re trying to take the biological's place
You gotta deal with the resentment from the child and the hate
But them seeing how you treat their mother changes their mind
And they eventually begin to except you in time
Some brothers met women with babies that was younger than 2
And been around so long you the only father they knew
You did everything that a true father should do
And when they got grown they still love and appreciate you
You deserve credit for being a gift from above
You didn’t do it for recognition, you did it for love
So youngsters in this situation be thankful and glad
And take the ‘step’ off the title and just call him your dad

[Hook: K-Rino]
So if nobody ever told you, thank you for stepping up
You rode in like a soldier, thank you for stepping up
The situation never fazed them, thank you for stepping up
Wasn’t yours but you raised them, thank you for stepping up
If nobody ever told you, thank you for stepping up
You rode in like a soldier, thank you for stepping up
Right on time when they need you, thank you for stepping up
Stayed with you didn’t leave you, thank you for stepping up