BLACK ROSE
Thi'sl Lyrics

Have you ever seen a baby cry?
The pain and suffering that I have seen in my city is comparable to the pain and tears of a crying baby.

Or did you ever see a flower die?
Just like how flowers wither and die, I have witnessed the loss of life in my community.

Can you imagine a falling star?
This line suggests that the troubles in the community are comparable to a star that falls from the sky: tragic, unexpected, and fleeting.

Do you know, do you know just who you are?
The line is a reflection on personal identity, a question that Thi'sl may be asking himself in the face of his surroundings.

You see pain in my whole city, written on my face cuz
Thi'sl carries the pain of his city and it is visible on his face.

Hit my knees and thank the Lord every day I wake up
Despite the difficulties in his city, Thi'sl thanks God for each new day.

'Cause where I'm from them things go POW, then that boy go down
The level of violence in Thi'sl's community is so high that he fears for his own life and those around him.

Then his soul go out, man it hurt like OW
This line describes the immense pain and sadness that comes with witnessing loss of life.

Just to sit back, watch another momma cry
Thi'sl has witnessed the pain and grief of mothers who have lost their sons to violence in the community.

Another wake her funeral, another since this homicide
The repeated funerals and wakes that Thi'sl has attended are a grim reminder of the high murder rate in his community.

Body count going up, murder rate on the rise
The rate of murder in Thi'sl's community is increasing at an alarming rate.

Then we see them glorified, please somebody tell me why?
Thi'sl is frustrated by the glorification of violence and murder in the music and culture of his community.

They told me all my life, only thing that I could do was rap or ball
Society often limits what young black men believe they can achieve, telling them they can only be rappers or athletes.

But I never liked sports, football or basketball
Thi'sl didn't fit the stereotype and pursued other interests.

They told me I wouldn't make it too far just because I'm black
Thi'sl has been told he will never succeed because of his skin color, a reality that many young black men face.

There was things he didn't teach me I wouldn't understand
Growing up without a father figure put Thi'sl at a disadvantage and there were important life lessons he didn't learn.

Ridin' through my city slow, leanin' with the lights on
Thi'sl is reflecting on his past and present, driving through his city slowly and taking in the view.

Life can be a nightmare but I'm still gettin' my dream on
Despite the hardships in his life, Thi'sl still holds onto hope and continues to pursue his dreams.

The homie say he hear it coming, this a revolution
This line suggests that there is a growing movement of young black men in Thi'sl's community who want to see change.

Do this for them lost ones, Derrion, Trayvon
Thi'sl is dedicating his fight for change to the memory of those who have been lost to senseless violence in his community.

That we call life, every day it say "that's how it is"
Society has normalized the violence and tragedy in Thi'sl's community, accepting it as just a part of life.

But they tell me hustle this, kill that
The culture of Thi'sl's community promotes a dangerous and destructive lifestyle.

Treat my sister like a prostitute, man I'm through with that
Thi'sl is fed up with the mistreatment and disrespect that women face in his community.

You can keep tearin' down, we came here to rebuild
Thi'sl and his community are committed to positive change and rebuilding their neighborhood.

And we ain't goin' nowhere, this Full Ride we here
Thi'sl and his community are staying put and fighting for change, proud to be from their neighborhood.

Flowers grow in the ghetto too, homie.
This line is a reminder that despite the challenges and difficulties faced in the ghetto, beauty and growth can still be found.