Truth & Lies
Us3 Lyrics

A child is born with no state of mind
When a child is born, they have no preconceived notions or beliefs.

Blind to the ways of mankind
As a newborn, the child is unaware of the complexity of the world and society's systems.

But I can't find the words that properly describes
The singer struggles to accurately articulate their thoughts and feelings.

The problems that arise
The challenges and issues that occur in life.

So I gotta decide to either
The artist must choose between two options.

Keep it bottled inside or swallow my pride
Either keep their feelings hidden or admit to them and risk humiliation or shame.

But I got God on my side I'm a follow his guide
The singer trusts in God and intends to follow their moral compass.

So I got down on my knees, apologized
The artist apologizes for their wrongdoings and seeks forgiveness.

For all the times my son looked in his fathers eyes
The artist reflects on their fatherhood role and how they have impacted their child.

And saw the lies and alibis
The child witnessed their father's dishonesty and excuses.

Next day to my surprise when I woke at sunrise
The following morning, the singer was taken aback by a surprising event.

I saw my son rise right next to me
The artist's child wakes up alongside them.

Put his hands on my head and said to me
The child reaches out to their father with a tender gesture.

In a voice best described as heavenly
The child's voice is gentle and serene.

The truth shall set you free
The child imparts a meaningful lesson about the importance of honesty and truth.

Stop letting me walk around with blindness on
The child pleads with their father to not keep them in the dark or ignorant about the world.

I'm relying on you to teach me right from wrong
The child trusts their father to guide them morally and ethically.

'Cause one day I'll be gone, won't be a child for long
The child recognizes the impermanence of youth and their dependence on their father for guidance.

You've found your words, now go write your song
The child encourages their father to find a way to express himself and share his wisdom with others.

Who, what, when, where, why?
Common questions asked to understand an issue comprehensively.

How do I find which way to reply?
The artist is unsure about how to respond to a question or situation.

Ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies
The artist suggests that if they are not questioned, they will not deceive or lie.

Surprise, the truth's right in front of your eyes
The truth is visible and apparent, but people choose not to see or acknowledge it.

Riddle me this
The artist poses a puzzle or enigma for contemplation.

You see a man slitting his wrists
The singer describes a scenario where someone is self-harming.

And he's rich
The person harming themselves is wealthy.

Beautiful women wanna give him a kiss
Despite his suffering, the person is still desired and wanted by others.

He was given a gift but it wasn't something he wished
The person has been given fortune or success, but it does not fulfill them.

He'd rather throw it all away for some ignorant bliss
The person would rather give up their wealth and status for a simpler, less stressful life.

To exist or not to exist? That's a question I try to resist
The singer muses about the existential question of life's purpose and meaning, but wishes to avoid deep contemplation.

Deep like a bottomless pit
The singer's thoughts and feelings are intense and seemingly endless.

So I swallow my pride and follow my wits
The artist puts aside their ego and trusts their instincts and intelligence in decision-making.

My motto is this, hold your head high
The artist's guiding principle is to be confident and proud in themselves.

You could call it a risk
Living confidently and authentically can be perceived as dangerous or threatening.

But if I can't live on my feet I'll die on my knees
The singer would rather live with integrity and pride or face defeat than succumb to fear or oppression.

Sowing the seeds of the struggle
The artist is planting the seeds of a revolution or resistance.

I gotta be free or better yet I gotta be me
The singer desires freedom and individuality above all else.

I gotta believe that if the truth is a lie
The singer holds the belief that honesty is essential, even if it is a difficult truth to face.

Then knowledge is key
The singer suggests that seeking and gaining knowledge is central to understanding the truth.

So yo, gimme the question and let me dissect it
The artist seeks to analyze a question or issue thoroughly.

My questions are deeper than my jealousy's best diss
The artist's inquiries are more profound and significant than petty insults or criticisms.

An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind
The singer warns against a cycle of revenge or retaliation that only harms everyone involved.

I gotta find what I seek or I'll never respond
The singer is determined to find answers to their questions or they will remain unresponsive or apathetic.

We've been lied to, we got reparations due
The artist suggests that they have been deceived and are owed compensation or repair for past wrongs.

While you're at it, where's our 40 acres too?
The artist references the unfulfilled promise of land for black Americans after emancipation.

Save the mule? In fact you can save the bull
The artist dismisses the idea of receiving trivial or useless gifts or reparations.

Why should we believe anything you say is true?
The singer questions the trustworthiness of those in power or authority.

Been waiting too long man, them days are through
The artist declares that they have been waiting for justice and change for too long and will wait no more.

We no longer cater to red, white & blue
The singer rejects the idea of national pride or allegiance to the government.

I posed those same questions to you-know-who
The singer asked similar questions to a person of authority or power.

He said, "Ask not what your country can do for you"
The person in power responded with a well-known quote from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, suggesting that people should not expect handouts from their country.

I said well when exactly you gonna do for us too
The artist questions when they will receive the same support and respect as those in power.

And where will we be when it finally comes through
The artist wonders about the future and the outcome of change or justice.

Forget it, I don't know why I'm asking you
The singer gives up on receiving answers or support from those in power.

You stole our ballots too we know how you do
The singer accuses those in power of corruption and manipulation of the electoral process.

The proud and few, we never ever doubted you
The artist expresses that a small group of people have always supported those in power.

Until we found out how your accountants
The artist discovered the truth about the actions of the people in power.

Grew fat from laying us flat, taking the rap obeying your crap
The people in power profited from the oppression and subjugation of those under them.

Seeing the real reason that we're breaking our backs
The singer acknowledges the true cause of their struggle and suffering.

And yo, we wanna know why the leaders are gone
The artist questions the absence or disappearance of leaders.

People can die, corporations treat us as pawns
The singer asserts that people can suffer and die while corporations only see them as instruments for profit.

You can see that it's wrong but you let them lead us along
The singer accuses those in power of knowingly perpetuating injustice and wrongdoing.

They're the same corporations that you need to be strong
The singer suggests that those in power are reliant on corporations for support and cannot challenge them effectively.

And I know that it's a game, truth is I shoulder the blame
The artist acknowledges the systemic nature of injustice and their own complicity in it.

I'm just another con artist making a claim
The artist humorously accepts the fact that they are making bold declarations without having a clear plan of action.

I know I need more than my words working for change
The singer acknowledges that words alone are not enough to bring about meaningful transformation.

It makes me frustrated that I'm seeking personal gain but tell me
The singer admits to their own desires and ambitions, but still feels compelled to fight for justice.

Surprise, the truth's right in front of your eyes
The truth is hidden in plain sight and accessible to anyone who seeks it.