Picture Me a Big Boy

Lyrics

[Intro – Solo guitar, spoken] Everybody’s asleep. Just me and my ego. He still wants the last word. I said, “Go to bed. This one’s for Othman.” [Verse 1 – Bouncy bass, relaxed rap] New town, new streets, new faces every day, I know how it feels. I had to find my way. Walk in with your head high, let ’em hear your name. You’re a proud Moroccan. You belong just the same. You took this road for you and for your kids. One day they’ll say, “Dad, we’re glad you did.” First door shuts? Go knock on two. Somewhere down that street, they’re waiting to meet you. Send that application, go and make that call. Say what you can, even if your voice feels small. Fear might ride with you, let it sit in the back. You’ve got the wheel, my brother. Keep your eyes on the track. [Chorus – Handclaps, call and response] (Lead) Picture me a big boy! (Backing voices) Head held high! I can miss my home and still give it a try. One door closes, I’ll knock on two. Othman, my brother, I believe in you. Picture me a big boy, back on my feet, I shake off a rough day and ride that beat. You take your road and I’ll take mine, We’re still brothers, come rain or shine. [Verse 2 – Guitar answers between lines] When I go back to Morocco, I’m glad to land. I hear my mother tongue, there’s mint tea in my hand. Sometimes I fly back angry, with words I never said. I wish they’d backed our dreams a little more instead. Some days home feels like a father who drinks too much. You wish he’d shown up. You still miss his touch. I take that hurt with me, I take the good days too. That’s a piece of my story I wanted to share with you. The people where you live don’t know your story yet. Some might be the best friends you haven’t even met. So give ’em a chance, and give yourself one too. You’ve made it this far, Othman. See what else you can do. [Bridge – Drums drop, guitar stays] We traded rhymes till everybody went to bed. If I went too far, I’m sorry for what I said. Next time we grab the mic, let’s put our rhymes together. You take the first verse. I’ll try to rhyme a little better. [Final Chorus – Full bass, handclaps and IL ENG voices] (Lead) Picture me a big boy! (IL ENG) Head held high! I can miss my home and still give it a try. One door closes, I’ll knock on two. Othman, my brother, we believe in you! Picture me a big boy, back on my feet, IL ENG family, clap along to the beat. You take your road and I’ll take mine, We’re still brothers, come rain or shine. [Outro – Solo guitar, spoken in Moroccan Darija] آ عثمان، هادي كلمة من خوك الكبير… سير لقدّام، آ خويا، وما تخاف من حتى واحد. رفع راسك، افتخر بلي نتا مغربي، وتيق فراسك. إلا تسدّ فوجهك باب، دقّ على باب آخر. الله يفتحها فوجهك، ويكتب الخير ليك ولوليداتك. وإلا ضاق بيك الحال شي نهار، تفكّر علاش بديتي. كل واحد فينا وطريقو… وحنا ديما خوت. وكيف ما قال دراغونوف… ضحكة حتى للودنين، واخا حتى أنا تنݣاليري. وإلا كنت ثقيل على شي واحد هاد الليلة، سمحو ليا. الله يوفّقكم كاملين، يا عائلة IL ENG. خليو الضحكة فوجوهكم، وتصبحو على خير. ربّي معانا… [Pause, then the final guitar chord] الله، الوطن، الملك.