Track 7 of the album Gridlock Gospel · 2019
Letters I Never Thanked You For
by Kane Rivers
“I wrote a thank-you list on the train and it kept growing. A litany over a choir loop.”
rap · gospel-sample rap · tender hip hop · 2:50
Lyrics
Wrote a list on the train of who carried me Names in the margins, a quiet litany Mrs. Okafor stayed after class Said my rhymes had weight, said let them last Uncle Dre gave me his old cassette deck Told me tape is patient, don't ever wreck Your voice on the rise, just keep it true Never knew how much I owed to you Late, but it's coming Better late than never Letters I never thanked you for Stacked up quiet behind my door Every hand that held me, every ear that stayed I'm saying it now, I'm not afraid Letters I never thanked you for Here's my heart, there's plenty more Thank you, thank you, and thank you more Barber let me sweep up for a free fade Pops worked doubles so the rent got paid Mama saved a plate when I came home late Never asked a question, just said it's great Cousin loaned his mic and a corner of the room Friends sat through the verses, sat through the gloom Crowd of seven, but they clapped like ten Taught me to believe in myself again Late, but it's coming Better late than never Letters I never thanked you for Stacked up quiet behind my door Every hand that held me, every ear that stayed I'm saying it now, I'm not afraid Letters I never thanked you for Here's my heart, there's plenty more Thank you, thank you, and thank you more If you're hearing this, you know who you are The ones who stood by when I hadn't got far No platinum plaque could match the weight Of the ones who said I'd make it, they said wait Letters I never thanked you for Stacked up quiet behind my door Every hand that held me, every ear that stayed I'm saying it now, I'm not afraid Letters I never thanked you for Here's my heart, there's plenty more Thank you, thank you, and thank you more Thank you, thank you And thank you more