Survive
L-FRESH The LION feat. MK-1 Lyrics

I recognise my people by face before I know the name
I am able to identify my community members by their facial features even before I know their names

smile when we greet because we understand the same
We share a common understanding, which is why we greet each other with a smile

share the same sight through eyes watered with pain
We have been through difficult times together, and those experiences have brought us closer to each other

yet we hold tightly onto our faith and maintain
Despite the hardships we face, we cling onto our beliefs and try to stay optimistic

we speak on each other's life
We talk about the events in each other's lives and are always there for one another

share mutual respect and connect because we're one in the fight
We respect and support each other as we face life's challenges as a united front

knowing with insight that the battle will test
We accept that life is not easy and can throw us obstacles, but we approach these obstacles with wisdom

but we gotta stay ahead of the rest like playing chess
We need to think strategically and stay ahead of the curve, like a game of chess

but understand you give what you get: a full circle
We realize that what we put into life is what we will receive in return

and love can be spread coz it's felt universal
Love is a universal feeling and can be shared among all people, regardless of their differences

our blood separates us, by faith we're connected
While our physical traits may differentiate us, we are united by our shared faith

by strength we survive and by courage we're respected
We draw strength from each other to survive life's challenges, and our courage garners admiration and respect

after we spoke we joke about the world's fear
After discussing the world's problems, we find humor in the face of fear

the most peace loving people with unshaven beards
Despite stereotypes, we are a peaceful group of people who may have different physical features

and they wonder why we keep it, it's no secret
People may question why we hold onto our beliefs, but for us, there is no doubt or secrecy about it

our faith is the food for the soul so we need it
Our faith gives us spiritual sustenance; it is an essential component of our lives

Where are you going?
A rhetorical question highlighting the senselessness of running from problems in life

said, where are you going to run to… to run to?
The question is asked again to emphasize that running away from problems is not a solution

Spiritual genocide and the war is in the mirror
We are fighting against the harm caused to our spirits and that battle is reflected within us

how can life be sweet when you feel so bitter
It is difficult to find happiness in life when you are dealing with bitterness or hardship

I grit my teeth and dig deep
I draw strength from within to persevere through tough times

with so many questions on my mind, I miss sleep
I have many questions about life and its meaning, which keeps me up at night

I raise my fist to the sky about as high as can be
It is a symbol of hope and determination to overcome obstacles

and send a prayer out to all of my lions and queens
I pray for and uplift my fellow community members

I bow my head to the Guru that raised me
I show respect to the spiritual teacher who guided me in life

and pay respect to the saints coz your wisdom aids me
I also honor those who have passed, and their wisdom continues to inspire and assist me

we went from fighting with words to fighting with swords
Over time, our battles have changed from battles of words to violence

then surviving the times and now we're fighting with minds
We have overcome those past battles and are now fighting with our intellect

I feel the winds of change and it tends to amaze me
I sense that change is imminent and am awed by the potential impact

coming to terms with me means you can never change me
Accepting who I am as a person means that my core values and beliefs will remain unchanged

it ain't easy but when you search you will find
Although it may be difficult, if you are persistent in your search, you will eventually find what you are looking for

that everything tends to pass like time
Nothing in life is permanent and everything, including tough times, will eventually pass

I put my fists in the air where they're meant to be
I join together with my community members in solidarity and raise my fists in support