[Verse 1]
All the kids run around playing free and fun
While the dogs lap around the can
Fallin' down, climbin' trees, swimmin' 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

[Chorus]
And I'm afraid, ah
I'm so afraid, ah
What if I lose?
Is what I think to myself
I'm fine in my shell
I'm afraid of it all, afraid of lovin' you

[Verse 2]
I'm a gift and a curse to the wilderness
When the leaves only turn to brown (Ah-ah)
The birds fly high and they wink at all
Of the grandmothers on the ground (Ah-ah)
The rain pours down in the village dens
My cousins fetch for lunch (Ah-ah)
While I sit in my room writing letters to
My church and things and such (Ah-ah)
[Chorus]
'Cause I'm afraid, ah
I'm so afraid, ah
What if I lose?
Is what I think to myself
I'm fine in my shell
I'm afraid of it all, afraid of lovin' you

[Post-Chorus]
Cousins all in the creek
Friday night, write a 'zine
When the rain pours down
The ghetto dancin', yeah

[Chorus]
I'm so afraid, ah
I'm so afraid, ah
What if I lose?
Is what I think to myself
(Fine in my shell)
I'm afraid of it all, afraid of lovin' you
I'm afraid, afraid of lovin' you

[Post-Chorus]
Cousins all in the creek
Friday night, write a 'zine
When the rain pours down
The ghetto dancin', yeah