Giving Something Up - Amel Larrieux

'76 when a man told his wife baby doll, sorry I can't stay 
left with 5 kids she was forced to become superwoman 
and go earn some pay 
a college educated girl 
washing dishes in a man's world 
now what good is a degree 
when you got mouths to feed 

she is that girl maybe you know, maybe you've been, 
maybe you are today 
insert your year where the year is if to this story you can relate 

[chorus] 
givin' somethin' up 
we always givin' something up 
we are givin' something up 
we always givin something up 
(repeat) 

'97 a mother has no choice but to go find work 
and leave her kids alone 
far from heaven so she's gone 5 days out the week 
to bring a piece home 
her man is off somewhere up some dress 
bringin' her back some other woman's sickness 
her baby girl is cryin', mama please, 
when you're gone the neighbor's chasing me 

around the world from Pakistan down to Soweto back to New York City 
insert your year where the year is if to this story you can relate 

[chorus] 

givin', tryin', self-relying 
feedin', teachin', always reachin' 
dreamin', losin', being abused and 
dyin', cryin', sacrificin' 
hurtin', being told we're worthless 
birthin', buried alive in the earth and 
hopin', mendin' spirits broken 
smilin' and somehow survivin' 

[chorus]