Tsalagi

I learned how to disappear so well I almost forgot what I was Where I came from Now I don’t know where I’m going [Verse] I crossed that line where the air feels paid Inner-side lights, and a life pre-made Signed my name like it wouldn’t bleed Told myself silence is what we need Now the wall got a voice and it knows her hours Counts our love like minutes, counts their power I heard the click when she tried to stay strong And I stayed clean—tell me what I did wrong [Pre-Chorus] ’Cause I can pass when the room turns cold Fade to gray, do what I’m told But she wears it where the world can see And that’s the price they charge for being free [CHORUS] Tsalagi — drum in my ribs, don’t die on me Tsalagi — they want me quiet, they want me “clean” They call it “integration,” I call it forced forgetting They want our sacred ways to fade out without upsetting But I won’t sing borrowed hymns to earn a safer cage I won’t trade my bloodline for a badge and a numbered page [Verse] They offered “help” with a hand that hides a chain Soft words, sharp teeth, same old game “Move her closer. Keep her calm. Keep her in line. Protect the Consensus and you’ll both be fine.” I remember kitchen prayers that weren’t for show Names we spoke low so the walls wouldn’t know They cut our maps into parcels, cut our names into dust Then act surprised when we choke on trust [Pre-Chorus] I taught her one word in secret when she was young Edoda — and my throat burned when she sung And one more, like a spark you hide inside your sleeve: Ageyutsa — so she’d know what I mean [CHORUS] Tsalagi — drum in my ribs, don’t die on me Tsalagi — they want me quiet, they want me “clean” They call it “integration,” I call it forced forgetting They want our sacred ways to fade out without upsetting But I won’t sing borrowed hymns to earn a safer cage I won’t trade my bloodline for a badge and a numbered page [BRIDGE] A voice in the wires says, “Love is a risk” Cuts my breath into segments, cuts my name into lists Says, “Choose your comfort. Choose your place. Choose your peace.” But peace with a leash ain’t peace to me I see the missions in the mirror, hear the hymn in the lock Salvation with a strap, obedience as a clock And I’m done pretending that a softer word makes it right I’m done buying daylight if it costs her night [FINAL ] Tsalagi — I’m done being the son of fear Tsalagi — I’m done acting like I don’t hear No more polite erasing, no more quiet consenting If love is “instability,” then let me be unbending Edoda — I’m calling through the walls tonight Ageyutsa — I’m choosing you, I’m choosing right Tsalagi — not a costume, not a phase Not “acceptable” and tamed — our sacred ways stay our ways [OUTRO] If passing buys comfort, it costs blood And I’m done paying I’m coming back for where I came from