Half Papua, Full Pressure

Lyrics

[Intro] From the red dirt, boots leave marks Cool air settling after dark No borrowed crown, no borrowed name I carry home inside the frame [Verse 1] Morning starts where the ridges bend Small red bus and a faithful friend Woven bag by the window seat Dust on the laces, heat in the street I learned hard work from a rusted gate Learned patience watching the tide come late Cousin said, “Keep your word when the room gets loud” So I stand ten toes when I face that crowd No shortcuts through the steep hillside Every loose stone gets tested in stride From the market stalls to the football ground If I say I’m coming, I’ll be around [Chorus] Half Papua, full pressure, I move with intent Roots in the soil, every dollar well-spent You can hear my people when the low end knocks Island in my chest, never changing the locks Half Papua, full pressure, no fear in the plan Salt on my shirt and the work in my hands If the road turns rough, I don’t fold, I adapt Put the whole homeland right there on the map [Verse 2] Night falls quick past the old tin roof I count each promise, I count each proof Auntie kept food in a covered steel pan Uncle showed me how to be my own man I’ve seen big talk disappear by noon Seen brave faces change when the stakes move soon But the ones who stayed when the rain came down Are the only voices I keep around Wood on wood from the yard next door A steady pattern through the kitchen floor That rhythm says more than a polished speech Some things live where the textbooks can’t reach [Bridge] Let the drums call once, let the whole place know From the mountain path to the harbor below No split in the heart, no crack in the name Different halves, one fire, one flame [Chorus] Half Papua, full pressure, I move with intent Roots in the soil, every dollar well-spent You can hear my people when the low end knocks Island in my chest, never changing the locks Half Papua, full pressure, no fear in the plan Salt on my shirt and the work in my hands If the road turns rough, I don’t fold, I adapt Put the whole homeland right there on the map [Outro] Red dirt, sea wind, still I advance Home in the blood, future in the hands Half Papua—say it plain, say it proud Quiet at first, then strong through the crowd