Orianna Essence - Spoke Over You Lyrics

At eight years old, they want you to form to the mold
So you nod your head when men say certain things
And you smile real polite when women tell you your dreams
Never step out of line
Be seen and not heard
Don't play in the mud, you know that that's for the boys
You kept moving forward regardless of how you felt
Even though sometimes you wanted to break through
Hello, it's older me
Talking to younger you
Are you listening clear to what I'm saying here?
Only eight years old, trying to form to the mold
You hold on so tight to the words they speak over you
And while words have power, you got power too
Whatcha wanna be?
Tell me whatcha wanna be
Astronaut, engineer, doctor
Tell me whatcha wanna be?
Artist, musician, ballerina
See Miss Angelou
Told you that you gonna rise Regardless of your gender or your race, who you love
Please
Whatever that you choose
You don't have to hold on to the words
That they spoke over you
And I'm hoping
That one of these days
You'll give yourself some grace
And you'll follow your own faith
And you'll find your own strength
Don't you
No, don't you
Don't you hold on to the words they spoke over you
At 21 years old almost didn't make it being young, black, and powerful isn't for the faint
You got a little older, but the formula is still the same
Form to the mold, form to the mold
More aware of the complexities of pigment you possess
Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Eric Gardner
Say their names, may they rest
Idolizing people that we shouldn't idolize
You possess a grace that's been penalized
Cause your bloodline infected with powerful women
Rooting for redemption in your corner
Supporting and hoping as you learn your lesson
Don't get plagued with doubt, we gonna figure it out
What's the next step?
Accepting that you're great now
Whatcha wanna be?
Tell me whatcha wanna be?
Powerful, supportive, and confident
Isn't it obvious? Elegant, graceful, a little distasteful
And breaking the chains of all the old ways
And holding accountable people before
Please, whatever that you choose
You don't have to hold on to the words
That they spoke over
You
And I'm hoping
That one of these days
You'll give yourself some grace
And you'll follow your own fate
And you'll find your own strength
Don't you
No, don't you
Don't you hold on to the words they spoke over you
You're 62 years old, made a lot of things happen
And you've learned to be bold
Stand your ground when men say certain things
And you stand in front of young women
Tell em to follow their dreams
Always took the risk, always gave it your all
Always helped, always made the hard calls
Only 62, there's way more to you
You have everything to offer if they just look your way
If they just see past the lines on your beautiful face
To all of your wisdom and all of your grace
Astounding capabilities tempered by love
Caused you to push through when push came to shove
So when people say you've overstayed your welcome
Listen to me, this is present me
Talking the future you, I know the truth
You don't have to hold on
And I'm hoping
(I'm hoping)
That one of these days
(That one of these days)
You'll give yourself some grace
And you'll follow
(You'll follow)
Your own fate
(Your own fate)
And you'll find your own strength
Don't you
(No, don't you)
No, don't you
Don't you hold on to the words
Don't you
(No, don't you)
No, don't you
Don't you hold on to the words they spoke over you