My Youths

Intro

Listen up, my pickney... hear wise words from your elder.

Man don't speak just to trouble you; your elders done walked dis road before.

Back in de day, dem didn't listen to dem own parents neither...

Jah knows I was young and headstrong too,

But respect for de old ones was never up for bargain!

Verse 1

I look inna your eyes and see myself yesterday,

Tryna swallow up de world in a single bite today.

My old man spoke to me, but I wouldn't hear a word,

Thinking I owned de scene, finest thing dem ever heard.

Now today I speak to you, my blood, my raised child,

And you look at my words like idle talk gone wild.

It vexes in your soul when I try to guide your feet,

Blind to de stumbles dat I wanna help you beat.

CHORUS

Oh, hear dis advice, my youths, if you wanna grow old!

Watch out, cause life brings de bill when your story is told.

Times dem changed today, de disiplin got loose,

De respect for de elders dis era did refuse.

Sometimes you gwan be tough, pull de brake without a doubt,

So you grow righteous people, know what respect is about!

Verse 2

Dis generation come around with pure high pride,

Talk back to dem mother like it's a foolish ride.

Dem no want no boundaries, dem no want no correction,

But de street out deh don't show no affection.

No wanna be de villain, nor cut your wings to fly,

But if I don't correct you, de street will make you cry.

A father who loves can't bend down or fold,

Though it hurts you today, tomorrow you'll give thanks tenfold!

CHORUS

Oh, hear dis advice, my youths, if you wanna grow old!

Watch out, cause life brings de bill when your story is told.

Times dem changed today, de disiplin got loose,

De respect for de elders dis era did refuse.

Sometimes you gwan be tough, pull de brake without a doubt,

So you grow righteous people, know what respect is about!

BRIDGE

It's not out of anger, my pickney, it's pure love inside,

A timely disiplin keeps de pain far aside.

De root must stand firm so de tree don't fall down,

May Jah give us wisdom, bring respect back to town.

FINAL CHORUS

Oh, hear dis advice, my youths, if you wanna grow old!

Watch out, cause life brings de bill when your story is told.

Times dem changed today, de disiplin got loose,

De respect for de elders dis era did refuse.

Sometimes you gwan be tough, pull de brake without a doubt,

So you grow righteous people, know what respect is about!

OUTRO

Righteous people... dat is all I want you to be, my chamos.

Respect your old man, honor your mother...

Hard is de lesson, but wise is de one who listens.

De raising back in our country, it was so different, hear?

May Jah always guide your steps, my youths...

Grab de advice, and respect your elders always.

'Cause dem only want de best for you... Blessed love.