All the kids run around playing free and fun
While the dogs lap around the can
Falling down, climbing trees, swimming in the river
No life jacket on their backs
Daughters sharpen their knives and they hunt for food
Others watch their children grow
Mothers going to work
And they shake the hands of a corporate tycoon's ghost

And I'm afraid
Ah, I'm so afraid
Ah, what if I lose?
Is what I think to myself
I'm finding my shell
I'm afraid of it all, afraid of loving you

I'm a gift and a curse to the wilderness
When the leaves only turn to brown
The birds fly high
And they wink at all
Of the grandmothers on the ground

Rain pours down in the village dens
My cousins fetch for lunch
While I sit in my room writing letters
To my church and things and such

'Cause I'm afraid
Ah, I'm so afraid
Ah, what if I lose?
Is what I think to myself
I'm finding my shell
I'm afraid of it all, afraid of loving you

Cousins all in the creek
Riding high, ride with me
And the rain pours down, the cattle dancing, yeah

I'm so afraid
Ah, I'm so afraid
Ah, what if I lose?
Is what I think to myself
I'm finding my shell
I'm afraid of it all, afraid of loving you
I'm afraid, afraid of loving you

Cousins all in the creek
Riding high, ride with me
And the rain pours down, the cattle dancing, yeah

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): Janelle Monae