My Inheritance

She grew up as the poorest on the islands Only made it to the third grade in school When she made it to the USA with 2 girls and one on the way She saw so many things she never knew But she couldn't get a job with her poor English So she tried to be the child that she once knew By going out 'til late at night with bingo pads and disco lights While dreaming of a better life to brew And I know a thing or two About giving up your dreams About always wanting more To feed your family About saving face but lacking grace And having nothing to your name And the only singing that you do Is when no one's watching you Though you had nothing to leave me No money, land or things The most precious thing you gave me The most precious thing I have Is the singing voice you gave me It's my inheritance I realize how confused you must have been When in 3rd grade, you would raise your hand And the teachers would ignore the girl In ragged clothes from the poor world Who only learned that she could never ask And I can't imagine how terrorized you lived By knowing who would die before they did By knowing who was mad or sick And feeling what was never said And most of all, losing one of your kids And I know a thing or two About giving up your dreams About always wanting more To feed your family About saving face but lacking grace And having nothing to your name And the only singing that you do Is when no one's watching you Though you had nothing to leave me No money, land or things The most precious thing you gave me The most precious thing I have Is the singing voice you gave me It's my inheritance