So Afraid

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 --- So Afraid - Janelle Monáe