His mother, Rochelle Hairston, coping with the ills of single parenting and trying to escape the influence that street life ends up having on young minds, led her family to live everywhere from friend's homes, shelters and finally the Passyunk Homes housing projects. It was there that Eshon, the oldest of four children, took on the leadership role in his family. Instead of playing the latest video games and getting involved in other childhood activities, he made his mother, brother's Seiffuddin and Ameer and his sister Aleema his main activity and responsibility. After his family, running errands and chasing girls, his spare time included writing rap songs with his best friend and rap partner Maik Sharp.
When Eshon was 15 years old he was shot three times right outside the Passyunk Homes housing projects while waking home. He says he had his first intimate encounter with Jesus Christ while laying on the ground, going in and out of consciousness from the gunshot wounds. Despite the fact that at this point he had no idea how this would later effect his music career (and he was still living a life that didn't reflect his encounter), thereafter he became even more aware of God's presence.
Eshon spent the next 5 years making a name for himself in Philadelphia's underground hip-hop scene. He performed at talent shows, open mic's, house parties and local events. In 1999 he signed a record deal with a city-known drug dealer and childhood friend, and again with another big time drug dealer the following year. Because of Eshon's Godly convictions neither venture ever progressed into anything.
In 2001 Eshon was introduced to the Lord more deeply when he met a pastor who gave him God's Word in a way that he hadn't known. He joined that pastor's church and began serving immediately. At this time he saw fit to start the group Society Park with fellow believers Larry "Who I Am" Dixon and Cobbina "Chances R" Frempong. While working on their album the group was invited to perform with Jazmine Sullivan in London, England alongside some of the United Kingdom's brightest stars like Andrew Roachford. "Freedom's Journal," Society Parks first and only album, was released in 2002.
From 2002 to 2006 Eshon continued to broaden his musical experience by performing at numerous events in places like Canada, Detroit, Miami, California, New York, Chicago, and New Jersey; and even shared the stage with well known artists including Mos Def, Common, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Talib Kweli, Roy Ayers and Pharoah Monch. He also toured with the guerrilla theater team Salt World, where he spent months using rap to spread the love of God on the street corners of Philadelphia's most drug infested neighborhoods. In that same year Eshon was introduced to Jazzy Jeff (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) by long-time acquaintance Black Ice (Def Poetry Jam), who featured the two on the song "Run That Back" which appeared on Jeff's "The Return of the Magnificent" (BBE Records).
After years of dabbling in both secular and holy hip hop, Eshon finally decided to focus his message solely on the saving grace of God through Christ, but still for the streets. He's poured out his message in mixtapes like "The Fire Escape," "Cleaning Out My Closet," "Blood Bought" and "The Fire Escape Reissued" between 2007 and 2010. Along the way he discovered his graphic design and film making abilities and founded GoodLook Multimedia, providing design and video services to other artists and clients.
Eshon currently resides in Florida with his wife Tandeace and two daughters Harlem Promise and Evyr Anadai, working on his first album to be released in 2011.
Testify
Eshon Burgundy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day time I see sunlight shining bright
If I'm alive how can I not testify
Of your love your love your love
They want me to fake it til' I make it
I can't
Praying while embracing everything
That i am
In my brain
Suffer for righteousness and in light of this
I profit from pain
I'm blessing the people behind closed doors
God set me on fire for these
Cold wars
Lord make my desire for your Kingdom only
And if I ever change promise me
You'll let them see I'm phony
Convict my family
Bring salvation to my homies
Divorcing every wicked thought
We was in matrimony
Keep me from ever bringing shame
Anywhere near ya name
Keep me from going if someone will fall because I came
I forsake the love of money and all
Expensive things
Turn my attention to the hungry
And never live in vain
Laugh when something taken from me and never state my claim
When I die I'm taking nothing but my soul
With me
This drug money can't go with me
Simple and plain
Night time i see diamonds in the sky
Day time i see sunlight shining bright
If i'm alive how can i not testify
Of your love your love your love
There's a reason God blessed me
With a second thought
My 1st one ain't always right
Gotta finesse it off
I'm reading 2 Corinthians chapter 10 & 5
Start over like the 40 days that caused the earth to die
Lord give me the capacity of genius mind
Followed by the sincerity of an lonely child
I'm known for saying passionately
Lord I mean this!
Then I passively pass it up
When it's going down
Whenever you're around
No one drowns
Help me not live like a coward in these careless streets
And make an excuse for why I don't obey you when you speak
I know that I must've sown these things therefore so I reap
Whether on purpose or unintentionally
The common factor is me
The haunting thought of gnashing teeth
To the promises of the cross
That's made for all who would believe
I said God why would you make yourself available to me
He said look
You see us talking
This is all I've ever wanted it to be
Night time i see diamonds in the sky
Day time i see sunlight shining bright
If i'm alive how can i not testify
Of your love your love your love
The lyrics to Eshon Burgundy's song Testify are a reflection of his desire to use his life as a testimony of God's love. He acknowledges that even though life can be difficult, he is blessed with seeing the beauty in the world around him. Eshon talks about his struggles with embracing who he is and not faking it to make it. He prays for the strength to embrace every part of himself and reshape his thoughts by reading and meditating on the Word of God. Eshon believes that he profits from his pain and that it is a way that he can bless others.
Eshon wants to live a life that is pleasing to God and not one that brings shame to his name. He acknowledges that he must give up his love for money and material possessions and focus on helping others. He wants to be brave and not cowardly in these streets, obeying God's voice and not making excuses for his actions. He recognizes that every decision he makes has consequences, whether intentional or unintentional. In the end, Eshon wants to be able to testify of God's love and the promises of the cross and use his life as an example to others.
Overall, the lyrics of Testify are a reflection of Eshon Burgundy's desire to live a life that is pleasing to God and to be an example to others. He wants to use his life as a testimony of God's love and the promises of the cross.
Line by Line Meaning
Night time I see diamonds in the sky
I recognize the beauty and wonder of God's creation at night.
Day time I see sunlight shining bright
I appreciate the warmth and light that God provides during the day.
If I'm alive how can I not testify
Being alive is evidence of God's existence and goodness, and I can't help but share about it.
Of your love your love your love
Everything I experience and witness is a testament to God's love.
They want me to fake it til' I make it / I can't
I refuse to be dishonest or inauthentic, even if people suggest it as a means to success.
Praying while embracing everything / That i am
I pray and seek God while accepting and embracing all aspects of myself, including my flaws and weaknesses.
Reading and reshaping every thought / In my brain
I am intentional about my thoughts and constantly working to transform my mind according to God's truth.
Suffer for righteousness and in light of this / I profit from pain
I am willing to endure difficulty and suffering for the sake of righteousness, and trust that God will use it for my good and growth.
I'm blessing the people behind closed doors / God set me on fire for these / Cold wars
I am serving and blessing others even in private, and God has given me passion and purpose for such a task in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Lord make my desire for your Kingdom only / And if I ever change promise me / You'll let them see I'm phony
I ask that God keep me focused on His Kingdom above all else, and to reveal any areas of hypocrisy or inconsistency in my life.
Convict my family / Bring salvation to my homies / Divorcing every wicked thought / We was in matrimony
I ask God to bring conviction and salvation to those close to me, and I am committed to separating from any wicked thoughts or behaviors that have been a part of my life.
Keep me from ever bringing shame / Anywhere near ya name / Keep me from going if someone will fall because I came
I pray that I never bring shame to God's name, and that I would not cause anyone to stumble in their faith because of my actions or influence.
I forsake the love of money and all / Expensive things / Turn my attention to the hungry / And never live in vain
I reject the allure of material wealth and instead direct my focus towards serving those in need and living a purposeful life.
Laugh when something taken from me and never state my claim
I am content and joyful even when I experience loss or have something taken away, and I do not seek revenge or hold grudges.
When I die I'm taking nothing but my soul / With me / This drug money can't go with me / Simple and plain
I recognize that material possessions will not accompany me after death, and I will not gain anything by acquiring wealth through illicit means like drug dealing.
There's a reason God blessed me / With a second thought / My 1st one ain't always right / Gotta finesse it off
God has given me discernment and the ability to reconsider my initial thoughts or actions, recognizing that I am not always right and may need to revise my approach.
I'm reading 2 Corinthians chapter 10 & 5 / Start over like the 40 days that caused the earth to die
I am seeking guidance and wisdom from Scripture, specifically 2 Corinthians 10 and 5, and desire to undergo a transformation like the forty days of rain that caused the flood in the days of Noah.
Lord give me the capacity of genius mind / Followed by the sincerity of an lonely child
I ask God to grant me intelligence and discernment, paired with a genuine and humble heart like that of a child.
I'm known for saying passionately / Lord I mean this! / Then I passively pass it up / When it's going down
I recognize a tendency to make bold claims or exude passion, but then fail to follow through when faced with difficult or uncomfortable situations.
Whenever you're around / No one drowns
I recognize God's presence as a source of safety and protection, and trust in His ability to keep me and others afloat.
Help me not live like a coward in these careless streets / And make an excuse for why I don't obey you when you speak
I ask God to give me courage and strength to live for Him in an environment that can be dangerous and reckless, and to not make excuses for disobedience.
I know that I must've sown these things therefore so I reap / Whether on purpose or unintentionally / The common factor is me
I recognize that my actions have consequences, and that whether intentional or not, I am responsible for the outcomes I experience.
The haunting thought of gnashing teeth / To the promises of the cross / That's made for all who would believe
I am sobered by the thought of the judgment and condemnation that come to those who reject God's offer of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
I said God why would you make yourself available to me / He said look / You see us talking / This is all I've ever wanted it to be
I express wonder and gratitude at God's willingness to be in relationship with me, and am reassured by the response that He delights in our communication and connection.
Night time i see diamonds in the sky / Day time i see sunlight shining bright / If i'm alive how can i not testify / Of your love your love your love
Once again, I express amazement and gratitude at the beauty of God's creation and provision, and have an unwavering desire to share about His love and goodness in all circumstances.
Writer(s): Anton Eshon Hairston
Contributed by Christian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@giftedvisions
โLord make my desire for your kingdom only. And if I ever change promise me youโll let them see Iโm phonyโ. ๐๐พโ๐พ๐
@followingjesustv2846
George Gandy crazy line bro
@addisonpietroburgo8947
100% thatโs how we should pray
@JoelTheMessenger
๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
@originalvybepromotions7269
Praise God there are still men who seek to honour God with their life and live a life pleasing to Him
@rubygriffin2558
Original Vybe Promotions Iโm hoping that for my son.
@zachariah7114
@@rubygriffin2558 may God bless and guide your son!
@hawns5198
I remember I wrote a verse to this beat over a year ago bragging about my rap skill and other miscellaneous subject matter. I was sleeping outside on a park bench in the dead of winter and I got a notification for Testify. Convicted me and really lifted my spirit that night.
@carlosbash8925
GOD Bless you my brother ๐๐ฏ
@dottieday25
This is one of the best songs ever thank you Elohimโค๏ธโค๏ธ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ