judge looks at the young man who has
nothing but his pride
(not so much to laugh about when
time has left your side)
as his honor looks into the face
of his own past
he says, “you know, i too do know how
innocence don’t last”
“there was not a hope for me to
be who now i am
something inside me gave and then
someone gave a damn
you stand here before me
because all this ends today
i know you don’t know yet son
but listen when i say
this is
not all that you are
this is
not all that you are
young girl stands before the man
whom she will now obey
child as a wife, but it’s our culture;
it’s okay
looking at her tears fall like
the dreams she will not see
she will now be silent
as it has been and will be
there is not a hope for her to
live as anyone
(but the) maid and cook and servant
of all that is said and done
beaten and defeated
as so many turn from you
let me add my voice to those who
shout the world for you
this is
not all that you are
this is
not all that you are
this is
not all that you are
this is
not all that you are
what we say and do but do not know
are we great because we all say we say so
many talk about the talkin’
when we need, as much, some walkin’
where it’s all at
we are all that
how can we claim who we claim we are
when we liken ourselves to the greatest superstar
if we do not change and freely
such a modern miracle really
isn’t really all that
at all
all that at all
old man lays in bed preparing for
his final rest
tired, scared, and anxious but he knows
that he’s been blessed
nothing but a silent darkness
without the daylight
longing for the loved ones still in bed
this time of night
just as he begins to cry for pity
and for fear
(does appear) a brightest light with words
that speak to him so clear
“from the pain of your worn body i am here to
set you free
take my hand and do not fear my child
it’s time for you to see…”
this is
not all that you are
this is
not all that you are