[Verse 1: Brother Ali]
I would've followed you to hell and back
In my mind, I never asked you for anything back
I came at you with love just looking for mercy
It was never your fault, the world made me unworthy
I showered you in admiration, was fascinated
Not exaggerating at all, my God, you're that amazing
Decades later, I peel back the layers
Actually traded in loyalty for your validation
You never asked to be a father to this grown-ass son
Can't fault you for the fact you never acted like one
I demanded the one thing impossible to give
If it's real, it's gotta come from within
If it's unhealthy, I know that that's at least half me
But I might just need to leave that be
Sometimes, it needs to be that growth and adjustment
The hearts are never closed, they're just under construction
But what then?

[Chorus: Brother Ali]
Human beings are mysterious things
It's a body with a spirit that wiggle the strings
The truth doesn't always appear as it seems
And a lot of times, hearing it stings
Human beings are mysterious things
Lot of stress with the lesson experience brings
The truth doesn't always appear as it seems
And a lot of times, hearing it stings
[Verse 2: Brother Ali]
When you say to me, "I don't want to lead you
I want to be equals," I'm trying to believe you
If we truly are peers, I need it to appear and be clear
In our equity, respect, and our ideas
What I want to know, as far as partnership go
If you're really down to roll if you're not in control?
Do you speak to me in ways you would never be spoken to?
Control me in ways you would never be open to?
Maybe I can grow, but I'll never be grown to you
Now that I know that, what the hell am I supposed to do?
It's oh so true, I couldn't have become me without you
I also couldn't become the next me around you
Think I might be doin' better than ever before
I don't even argue with you in my head anymore
I let you win 'em all, for the record, never settled the score
That's just not an argument that I have energy for anymore

[Chorus: Brother Ali]
Human beings are mysterious things
It's a body with a spirit that wiggle the strings
The truth doesn't always appear as it seems
And a lot of times, hearing it stings, mm-mm
Human beings are mysterious things
Lot of stress with the lesson experience brings
The truth doesn't always appear as it seems
And a lot of times, hearing it stings
[Verse 3: Brother Ali]
Our first relationship is with the supreme being
Whatever language it is you use for the source of meaning
All the pain and the anger and questions
I hope they graduate to gratitude and acceptance
The second is the bond that we build with our own selves
Lifetime of trauma, memories, and our folktales
Hope you feel at home in the hole where your soul dwells
From your receding hairline to your toenails
We mix it with the mamas and our first romances
Our childhood circumstances and our chances
You glance at the surface, below it, there's a universal load
That you carry to the banquet before the first hello
There's a universe going on inside us all
It's always tryna unite and divide us all
That's the factory setting, it's just by default
Just trying to reflect a little light is all
Yes, y'all

[Chorus: Brother Ali]
Human beings are mysterious things
It's a body with a spirit that wiggle the strings
The truth doesn't always appear as it seems
And a lot of times, hearing it stings, yadda I mean?
Human beings are mysterious things
Lot of stress with the lesson experience brings
The truth doesn't always appear as it seems
And a lot of times, hearing it stings