If You Don't Know - Us3

When I think about the branches of my family tree

I see the roots underground in the land of the free

But they were choked by the weeds and the vandalous thieves

Branded and keyed

Beaten like a gamblers knees

I can’t weep for the willow

I’m angry as bees demanding a queen

Trapped by humanity’s greed

I give thanks that my ancestors planted a seed

So I know I can’t sleep til I abandon the dream

I don’t count sheep

I’m living with my eyes open

Trying to laugh and act happy like God’s joking

The poems I rhyme remind me to find hope

And I’m keeping my mind focused following divine motion

But I get paid to glance down over the waves that buried the slaves

And gave evolution a stage

In a plane I can’t fathom or imagine the pain

The same teardrops rage every time that it rains

(chorus)

If you don’t know where you come from

How you’re gonna know how to go through what you go through

(How you gonna know, how you gonna know

If you don’t know where you come from?)

Travelling around the world carrying a heavy weight

Here in this suitcase, the struggles that my family faces

Anywhere that I go I’m still riding the same train

On the same stage in the same play

Even if the faces change

Can I cry when I know the things they’ve been through?

Can I smile when I know how much they cried?

Should I lie to myself when I know the past?

I guess I’ll try my best to carry on

Because I know where I come from

(chorus)

The pain of the past can easily eclipse the present

But raindrops relieve tears like kisses from heaven

And they’re flooding the streets deeper than a busted levy

They try to smile on the news, I don’t trust the TV

Cause there’s another branch breaking and you can’t feel it

And there’s another tree falling and you can’t hear it

We’re the lost generation of youth looking for truth

It’s a strange fruit trying to change suit with the same roots, but yo

Can I cry when I know the things they’ve been through?

Can I smile when I know how much they cried?

Should I lie to myself when I know the past?

I guess I’ll try my best to carry on

Because I know where I come from