Baby Boy
Childish Gambino Lyrics

Little hands, little feet
The singer is describing the small physical features of their child

Tiny heart, tiny beat
The singer is describing the child's small but strong heart and its rhythm

Oh, thinkin' about the time we spent falling in love (in love)
The singer is reminiscing about the love they shared with the child's other parent

I don't wanna leave you
The singer is expressing their desire to be with their child

I don't want him to see you
The singer doesn't want the other parent to see them with their child

But oh, when mama cries from daddy's lies
The singer is expressing the pain the other parent's lying has caused

Oh my, please don't take him away, no, no, no
The singer is pleading with the other parent not to take their child away

Don't take him away
The singer is repeating their plea to the other parent

Oh, cause I had my doubts, oh!
The singer is admitting to having doubts about the stability of their relationship with the other parent

Don't take my baby boy
The singer is repeating their plea not to take their child away

Don't take my pride and joy
The singer is expressing how important their child is to them

I hope I stay close
The singer is expressing their hope to be near their child

All the pain, all the tears
The singer is referencing the pain and sadness they have experienced in their relationship with the other parent

Many nights, many years
The singer is referencing the amount of time they've been in this troubled relationship

This love for me is fading
The singer is admitting to their feelings changing toward the other parent

You waited, but I never came home to you
The singer is admitting to not being there for the other parent

I've never lied about us
The singer is stating that they have been honest about their relationship

We were never supposed to be together
The singer is stating that their relationship was never meant to be

When you see me with some other one and they know your son
The singer is referencing a possible future when they are with someone else and that person knows their child and the other parent

Oh, please don't take him away
The singer is repeating their plea to not take their child away

You said you're wrong but you knew
The singer is stating that the other parent knew they were wrong but did it anyway

There was a time before you
The singer is referencing a time before they met the other parent

And there will be a time after you
The singer is referencing a future time when they will have moved on from the relationship

Though these bodies are not our own
The singer is referencing the fact that they are parents and are responsible for another life

Walk tall little one, walk tall
The singer is expressing encouragement to their child

Let me hold you, let me hold you
The singer is expressing their desire to hold their child