Branch on a Family Tree

Lyrics

[Intro] Pull up a chair, let the old stories start Every name on the wall put a beat in my heart [Verse 1] Grandma kept recipes tucked in a tin Cinnamon on her hands, big laugh when she grinned Granddad fixed clocks with a pocketknife tune Said, “Take your time, kid, you’ll get there soon” Mama had a suitcase, two jobs, one dream Turned a tiny kitchen to a whole food scene Daddy brought records from a town down south Taught me how to find truth with a song in my mouth [Pre-Chorus] I got a little bit of everybody In the way I walk, in the way I talk Names may fade on a paper chart But the roots run deep through a brand-new heart [Chorus] I’m a branch on a family tree Whole forest growing inside of me From the porch swing stories to the future I see Every leaf got a little bit of history Hey, pass that love down, let it travel through me I’m a branch on a family tree [Verse 2] Auntie made jokes when the rent got tight Uncle played chess by the porch each night Cousin had a camera, caught every face Now those Sunday snapshots keep time in place Some came by boat, some crossed county lines Some built a life from a handful of dimes Some changed their names just to make it through Still every road led right here to you [Pre-Chorus] I got a little bit of everybody In the way I dream, in the way I fight When I stand tall, they’re standing beside me Old roots making new leaves tonight [Chorus] I’m a branch on a family tree Whole forest growing inside of me From the porch swing stories to the future I see Every leaf got a little bit of history Hey, pass that love down, let it travel through me I’m a branch on a family tree [Bridge] If you know your people, say their names If you don’t, you can build that chain Found family, chosen kin Open the door, let everybody in I’ll be the shade for the ones to come They’ll be the rhythm when my race is run [Final Chorus] I’m a branch on a family tree Whole forest growing inside of me From the porch swing stories to the future I see Every leaf got a little bit of history Hey, pass that love down, let it travel through me I’m a branch on a family tree Roots below and a crown up high We keep reaching, generation by generation, sky to sky [Outro] Pull up a chair, let the old stories start Every name on the wall put a beat in my heart