When I Need Them

Chale, dem chop my sacrifice

But where they dey when I fall down?

Yeah, yeah

When I need them most

I give my best, give my all to this family line

Work my fingers to the bone, make sure everybody fine

My sweat dey on the table, my money dey in their hand

But when trouble come knock knock, nobody understand

I remember all the nights I no sleep for their sake

All the opportunities wey I sacrifice for their break

Dem dey laugh when I succeed, dem dey eat from my plate

But the day I need a shoulder, everybody say "wait wait"

Chale, this one pain me well well

Dem no see the sacrifice, dem just see the profit shell

When my back against the wall and I calling out for help

Everybody suddenly busy with themselves

When I need them, where are they? (Where?)

Family supposed to care, but they disappear

When I need them, all alone (Alone!)

Dem enjoy what I give but they leave me on my own

When I need them, where they go?

Eating from my table, but they never come through though

When I need them, I'm alone

Fam, this sacrifice too much, now it's time to let you know

I remember Christmas morning, everybody smile at me

Put food on the table, watch them eating happily

I remember graduation, dem celebrate my name

But when my own turn come, dem act like I'm strange

Ask them for a small help, see them move slow slow

Sudden they got no money, sudden they got places to go

But my money always ready when they come asking please

Now I done realize say this family got disease

Dem dey take take take, but dem no know how to give

Dem just use you for blessing then forget how you live

I been the backbone, I been the foundation stone

But the moment that I stumble, everybody move on

Yeah, herh!

This sacrifice bitter sha, but the lesson sweet

When I need them, where are they? (Where they dey?)

Family supposed to care, but they disappear

When I need them, all alone (So alone!)

Dem enjoy what I give but they leave me on my own

When I need them, where they go?

Eating from my table, but they never come through though

When I need them, I'm alone

Fam, this sacrifice too much, now it's time to let you know

But I won't break (No!), won't fall down (Never!)

I been strong for them, now it's time to stand my ground

I no go kill myself trying to please ungrateful soul

My peace of mind worth more than playing this role

I give because I choose, not because I must

But when the well run dry, they no get to discuss

I learning now, I learning slow but I learning clear

Love without boundaries just attract the wrong here

Eiii! This one hit different

When you realize say the people wey you sacrifice for

No fit sacrifice one thing for you

That's when you know

So I'm setting new boundaries, drawing the line

I still go help my family, but I'm protecting mine

My peace, my mental health, my rest, my space

I done give enough, now I'm taking my place

I love them still sha, but I love myself more

No more be the doormat that they wipe their feet on

When they come asking, I go say "sorry, not today"

I been the pillar too long, now it's time to change the way

I'm not bitter, I'm just wiser, I'm just awake

I know which side of the bread got the butter now

And I won't be used again, that's a promise to myself

I take my own sacrifice, I keep it for myself

When I need them, I got me (Got myself!)

I don't wait for their love, now I'm setting myself free

When I'm broken, I heal (I heal!)

Don't expect them to care, got to do it for real

When I need them, I'm strong (Omo!)

I done learn my lesson now, I've been silent too long

When I'm fighting alone, it's alright (It's fine!)

I been doing it all along, just took time to realize

Chale, dem chop the sacrifice

But I'm the one who dey rise rise

When I need them most

I got myself

Yeah, yeah

When I need them most

I got me

Eiii! That's the way