Raise It Up
Jamia Simone Nash and Impact Repertory Theatre Lyrics

No father figure in the house
Growing up without a father figure in the house

And I'm wondering how
Feeling uncertain about how to navigate life

I'm gonna work it out
Finding a way to work through the challenges

Oh
Expressing frustration or sadness

My friends keep on telling me
Friends offer advice and support

How I don't need that man
Friends advise to not rely on a man who is not dependable

But they don't really understand
Friends may not truly understand the difficulties being faced

There's far
There are many

Too many pressures in reality
Too many challenges in real life

With dealing with the pain
Including dealing with emotional pain

The stress and poverty
Stress and poverty are also challenges

And I gotta be myself because
But it's important to stay true to oneself, because

There's nobody else for me
There is no one else who can live your life for you

(No)
Emphasizing that there is no one else

(Hang in there with me)
Asking for support and solidarity

Sometimes it takes
Sometimes a different approach is needed

A different kind of love
Love that is not traditionally defined

To raise a child
Needed to support and raise a child

(So don't give up)
Encouragement to persevere

So don't give up
Don't let go of hope or strength to continue

(When pressures come down)
When times are tough

Sometimes it takes
Sometimes a different approach is needed

A different kind of dream
A creative and different approach to goals

To make you smile
Needed to find happiness and joy in life

(So raise it up)
Encouragement to raise one's spirit or aspirations

So raise
To lift up, to bolster

(Hang in there with me)
Asking for support and solidarity

Sometimes we need
Sometimes additional help is necessary

Another helping hand
Assistance from others

To show the way
To guide and support

(When pressures come down)
When times are tough

Sometimes it seems impossible
Challenges may seem unsurmountable

And that's why we pray
Turning to faith for support and guidance

(We pray)
Reiteration of seeking spiritual support

Seems to be
Appears to be

Nothing left for me
Feeling without hope or resources

Momma's gone
Losing the support of one's mother

Daddy didn't wanna be
Experiencing abandonment from one's father

And now I'm all by myself
Feeling alone and isolated

Wondering where is love
Questioning the presence of love in life

Or should I just give up
Considering giving up in the face of challenges

(Ya know)
Used as an aside, emphasizing uncertainty or doubt

Life falls down on me
Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges

Cuts into my soul
Emotional pain

But I know I got the strength
Believing in one's own resilience

To make it through it all
To survive and continue forward

'Cause I'm still standing tall
Despite the challenges, continuing to stand resilient

Breaking through these walls
Overcoming obstacles in life

I'm gonna give my all
Commitment to give maximum effort and energy to confronting challenges

Feeling like
Experiencing a particular emotion

A motherless child
Feeling abandoned or unsupported as a child

Pain cuts into my soul
Emotional pain

It's bringing me down
Feeling depressed or defeated

Can't find my smile
Unable to find happiness or joy

On the face
Expression, mood

Of a motherless child
Of someone who was abandoned or unsupported as a child

I'm gonna break
Breaking through emotional and psychological barriers

Down these walls
Overcoming obstacles in life

Ya know
Used as an aside, emphasizing uncertainty or doubt

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Used to express enthusiasm or positive energy