The Sho Story:

Raised in Cali, communicating a message as an artist … Read Full Bio ↴The Sho Story:

Raised in Cali, communicating a message as an artist has always been a part of who Sho is. Introduced to Hip Hop at a young age, he grew to love its content and attitude. Living in Southern California during the height of Gangsta Rap presented its challenges to many youth, as well as Sho. In high school Sho and some friends from his neighborhood formed a rap group that began touring with major recording artists. But his life took a different turn after the rap group fizzled, and close friends were killed and others incarcerated due to the gang life they led. The message of his life began to change.

He decided to heed his father's advice and apply to college, pursuing education instead of the streets. At the time, Christ was not a part of his life, but his older brother, his father, and a leader at his church, had always promoted education and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Sho continued on to Tuskegee University, and it was there, that the seeds that they planted in him finally took root.

While in college, through the lives of some solid Christians on campus, the Lord rescued him and redeemed his heart. Sho's message changed from promoting himself and Hip Hop to promoting Christ, and now he wants the world to see the Lord at work in him. Our popular culture today elevates the lifestyles of rappers who promote ideas that only destroy our culture, but because of God's grace Sho has a different message: "Turn My Life Up"

What if the Programmed Culture could see the change Christ made in him and be transformed by God's Grace to impact lives and revolutionize our world? Not desiring fame or personal glory, Sho invites you to listen to his message and see how God can "Rebuild the Culture"

Word
Sho Baraka Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, maybe words don't say much
Maybe we don't need words to communicate our love
Maybe

All I wanted a perfect life
Some perfect kids and a perfect wife
Some perfect days and some perfect nights
Even though I'm flawed, I should be alright

A child with special needs didn't fit in my plans
I'm a needy man, wanting more that what you put in his hands
All I wanted was a perfect family core
Now I'm envying the family next door
Trying not to trust therapy more than God
I am walking the street where fear and love collide
I am learning in weakness, you still gotta serve
And my connection with my boys is way deeper than words
But damn, words, I thrive with 'em
Words are my life, my career, I survive with 'em
I'm given a life sentence that words can't fix
Now we both live in a world that don't make sense

Yeah maybe words don't say much
Maybe we don't need words to communicate our love

My sons are not a punishment or an accident
Just a little abstract masterpiece of what the master did
I try not to doubt the power of prayer
But sometimes, I just feel like the power ain't there
Some days I'm feeling good, some days I'm feeling torn
I'm getting praise for activities a father should perform
I get applause when I excel, thank you
Is there grace for me when I fail and I'm feeling shameful

Yeah, well maybe words don't say much
Maybe we don't need words to communicate our love

My father said he needed greater trust in the Lord
And the Lord used cancer so he could trust in Him more
He died without complaining, that's when I understood
He taught me more in his silence, that a sermon ever could
Words can be lies to help us disguise our phoniness
Feeling insecure, in the midst of pride and loneliness
I learned the meaning of contentment really fast
Wanting change, while appreciating everything that you have

Yeah maybe words don't say much
Maybe we don't need words to communicate our love
Maybe words don't say much
Maybe I should just learn to shut up

Only you know
Only you know
Oh oh oh
Only you know
Only you know
Oh oh oh

Truth is your presence speaks much louder than when a choir sings
I never knew I'll find joy up in the smallest things
The counsellor said "Live long, love strong, stick together"
This is a thorny rose you two will carry forever
Find value in your interactions, and not in your treasure
Find strength in Jesus, increase your faith in good measure
Avoid evil, your kids need a home that is peaceful
Don't be a passive man, understand that your family needs you
Pray for healing, hoping they find a cause
But after all, I resolved, you are not a problem to solve
Maybe I wouldn't change you
Maybe I'm just unable to see your potential
Because I'm blinded by the labels

Yeah maybe words don't say much
Maybe we don't need words to communicate our love
Maybe words don't say much

In that moment, we had a breakthrough
Silence, I want to thank you

In that moment, we had a breakthrough
Silence, I want to thank you

Overall Meaning

In the song "Word," Sho Baraka reflects on his desire for a perfect life, which included a perfect family. However, his reality did not align with his expectations when his son was born with special needs. He struggled with trusting in therapy more than in God and envied other families who seemed to have it all together. As he navigated his feelings of inadequacy and failure, he learned the power of silence and the presence of God. He realized that words are not always necessary to communicate love, and sometimes, silence can bring about breakthroughs.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, maybe words don't say much
The singer is unsure whether words are truly effective in conveying emotions.

Maybe we don't need words to communicate our love
The singer suggests that love can be communicated through actions and presence, without relying on verbal communication.

All I wanted a perfect life
The singer had high expectations for what their life and family should be like.

Some perfect kids and a perfect wife
The artist desired a family unit that fit a traditional, societal ideal of what a family should be.

All I wanted was a perfect family core
The artist had a clear image in mind of what their family should look like and desired to attain that image.

I'm given a life sentence that words can't fix
The singer is dealing with a difficult situation that no amount of talking or communication can solve.

My sons are not a punishment or an accident
The singer believes that their children are not a negative consequence or coincidence but rather a unique, valuable creation.

But sometimes, I just feel like the power ain't there
The artist sometimes doubts the effectiveness or existence of prayer.

He taught me more in his silence, than a sermon ever could
The artist learned more from their father's silent demeanor and actions than from any spoken message or sermon he gave.

Maybe I'm just unable to see your potential
The artist acknowledges that they may be unable to recognize the value and potential in their situation or loved ones due to their own biases or preconceptions.

Silence, I want to thank you
The singer expresses gratitude for the power of silence and the impact it can have on communication.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALLEN SWOOPE, AMISHO BARAKA LEWIS, JAMIE PORTEE, LIZI BAILEY, NATHAN ROBINSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS