Papa gave me music. Mama gave me soul.
Brother gave me reaching out to hold.
Teacher gave me license
Learning set me free
Schooling gave me nothing ?
music showed me how to be
Papa gave me want-to-be
Brother gave me empathy
Mama gave me women,
but that isn't all I need
I have lived in houses.
I have lived in homes.
Eaten off of tables made of wood or stone
Through the trials and tribulations
I've never known
how to say I love you
and let my feelings show
So thank you for the music
Thank you for the song
Bless you for the freedom
in knowing right from wrong
Thank you for the laughter
the heartaches and the tears
It's a blessing to grow
It's a goodness to be here
You give me want-to-be
You give me sympathy
You give me woman
Thank you for loving me
and letting it show
It's a pleasure to be here
so bless us, every one