Pray For Grace
Michael Franti & Spearhead Lyrics

Why must I feel like this today?
Michael Franti expresses his frustration at feeling down on this particular day

I'm a soldier, but afraid sometimes
He speaks of his personal battles, likening himself to a soldier but acknowledging his fear and vulnerability

To face the things that may
He is apprehensive about confronting the obstacles that stand in his way

Block the sun from shining rays
Those obstacles are capable of clouding his world with negativity, preventing him from seeing brightness and light

And fill my life with shades of grey
These negative influences could turn his life dim, adding a sense of dullness to his existence

Still I long to find a way
Despite his misgivings, he is determined to discover a solution to his problems

So today I pray for grace
He turns to a higher power for help, hoping to receive grace to tackle his issues

I take a moment to myself
He takes a moment of solitude to evaluate his situation

So I can hear myself
In this moment of introspection, he tries to listen closely to his inner voice

To feel myself
He attempts to experience his emotions without any external distractions

And be real myself
By sitting alone, he aims to be authentic and true to his feelings

Life's addictions and afflictions
He reflects on how life's challenges and addictions can erode our well-being

'Cause abrasions from their friction
These struggles cause wear and tear, creating friction and damage to our emotional state

Sometimes it's easier to live in fiction
Perhaps it's easier to ignore the harsh realities of life and take refuge in fiction

I can run, but I can't hide
Running from his problems won't make them disappear

From the pains that reside down deep inside
The root cause of his troubles lies deep within him

There is no pill that can be swallowed
There's no easy fix or magic solution to his problems

There is no guru that can be followed
He won't find a savior or spiritual leader who can provide all the answers

There's no escapin' from my own history
His past will always be a part of him; he can't just forget or abandon it

Those that I hurt and those that hurt me
His past actions and the actions of others have contributed to his current situation

I was dead for a million years 'fore I was born and
He reflects on the vastness of time and the insignificance of individual existence

I'll be dead for a million more after I'm gone
He acknowledges his own mortality and that death is inevitable

So I live to give somethin' that can live on
He strives to leave a legacy or impact that will outlast his own lifespan

Like the way you hum a song when the music's gone
Examples of something that can live on are the memories or influences we create that remain even when the original source is gone

Like the warmth of the sand when the sun goes down
Another example of a lasting impression or experience

And I'm sittin' with myself, nobody else is around, but
He feels comfortable in his own company and doesn't need others around to feel secure

Radio, come on now
The chorus introduces a shift in tone to a more upbeat, energetic vibe

To all my people in the front, I say hey (hey)
He includes the audience and encourages them to participate in the song

To all my people in the back, I say yo (yo)
He addresses the entire audience, not just those closest to the stage

To all my people on the side, I say ah (ah)
He includes everyone in the crowd, even those not directly in front of him

Everybody in the place tonight
He wants to unite the crowd and create a sense of community

Say yay (yay)
He wants the crowd to express their excitement and enthusiasm

Say yo (yo)
Another expression of energy and enthusiasm

Say yay-ay-ay (yay-ay-ay)
A variation on a previous phrase, again emphasizing the crowd's participation

Say yo-o-o (yo-o-o)
A repetition of a previous phrase, encouraging the crowd to continue with their response

It's been a long, long time
This line introduces a reflection on the passage of time and how things change

Since I been away
He speaks from the perspective of someone who has been gone for a while

Since I felt this way
The emotions evoked by the music and the experience are intense and nostalgic

I found the words to say
He has found a way to articulate his emotions through his music

How much I'm grateful
The song takes a turn towards gratitude and appreciation

For my life today
He recognizes the value of his current existence and the blessings within it

'Cause under every cup you might find a nut
This line introduces a humorous and lighthearted metaphor for the unexpected surprises and gifts in life

Behind every corner you might get jacked up
However, life also has its darker and more negative surprises

At the end of every rainbow you might find gold
A classic symbol for finding treasure or a pot of gold at the end of a difficult journey

The last bite of your sandwich, hope you don't find mold
Even the most mundane things in life can have unexpected consequences or outcomes

'Cause none of us can live the perfect life
Life is inherently imperfect and each person must find their own way to navigate its challenges

The kind that we see on 'Nick at Nite'
A reference to a popular television channel that aired reruns of classic sitcoms, which portrayed a seemingly perfect and idealized version of American life

And sometimes we all just lose sight
Even those who usually have a handle on things can get overwhelmed and lose their way

Of the pain that will guide us
He sees pain as a positive force that can steer us towards growth and understanding

From dark into the light
Pain can lead us from difficult or dark times into a more hopeful and joyful existence

We fall down yes, but we get up
He acknowledges the inevitability of failure and difficult times, but also the resilience that allows us to keep going

And sometimes we just need a little bit of love
This song is ultimately about the power of love to help us through tough times

To help to make it through another day
Love can give us the strength and courage to face each new day and the challenges it brings

Into the night, into the light, into a Saturday
He ends the song on a positive note, looking towards a brighter future and the possibility of new experiences and joys

So in the morning when I'm waiting for the sun to raise
A callback to an earlier line, using a sunrise as a symbol for new beginnings and opportunities

And my head's a little foggy like I'm in a haze
This line describes a more emotionally vulnerable state, suggesting that sometimes we don't have all the answers and we feel uncertain and lost

I remind myself that everything is gonna be okay
He leaves us with a hopeful and comforting message that even in the midst of our struggles, everything will ultimately work out in the end

I take a breath, slow down and say...
The final line leads us into the last repetition of the chorus and emphasizes the importance of breathing and taking a moment for oneself