ANTEBELLUM

[Intro: Ransom] Damn, this some real shit right here, boy Hey, let me talk to your soul, homegirl Come here a second Hey Tokyo, turn me up a little bit Yeah [Verse 1: Ransom] Yeah, they say that's the girl for you (Who?) You was in your feelings the minute I first saw you (Why?) Attacks on my ego, diminishing the one tool A nigga had to use to take on this world for you You know that word loyal? You heard it before? Sweet talks is only for those that been deserted before (Yup) Don't try and put a band aid over them permanent flaws (Naw) You amaze me, choose a man with the nerve to explore See a man needs respect, we deserve it and more You told me I'd never be shit, you know that hurt to the core (Damn) On one hand, you tell me, "Ran you ain't worth the allure" Then get mad when I hesitate to go and work at the store You need to build me up, you know, nurture the boy Instead of tearing me down when I'm first in the door, huh But you ain't understanding that (Naw) You say you need you a real man to handle that (Word) But while I'm in the real world Where you can be held down if a man is black Then come home and handle you when I'm tryna handle that (Damn) I'm being punked, where the cameras at? It's never about the struggle you really should focus on how a man reacts Damn, why would I stand for that? [Interlude: Ché Noir] The shit be deeper than people like to admit sometimes Just trying to unlearn certain things Yeah, uh [Verse 2: Ché Noir] I was taught that a man protects and provides Dealing with men who lack drive but still expect me to ride A black woman in this world left with pain and abuse And come home and still gotta cater to you? I'm a woman that use words, I don't got to punch or slap to diss you Only repeating what I learned is my reactions to you You not the only one fighting wars that attack your mental Tried a therapist but they only blamed it on daddy issues Speaking of that, look at this load I was handed Said I need to learn to submit, but nigga, show me companion Single mother household is a family Independent and stubborn 'cause we was filling all the roles y'all abandoned We both fighting for peace to be understood And healing from time spent with people that wasn't good A woman's job is to nurture our sons who stood The dangers of the ghetto can't compare to a mother's hood, yeah (The dangers of the ghetto can't compare to a mother's hood, yeah)