[Spoken Intro: Pusha T, Malice, Yoo Q!, Clipse]

Haha, that's right, yeah-haha

You good, yeah-haha

You good, you good

(Ayy-yo)

You good

Alright, alright

Haha

New shit

New shit

New shit

New shit

Ah, man, um, that joint is called "Chains & Whips"

Um, this next joint is, um, called "Birds Don't Sing"

This is a tribute to our parents who passed away four months apart

Uh, so when you listen to the verse

You're hearin' me have our last conversation-

My last conversation with our mother

And on my verse, it was, uh, the last conversation I had with my dad

So, you know, we documented it

Put it down and you're gettin' a accurate depiction of what we said

Thank you, thank you

Sis, Ali, on the background vocals

Come help us out, y'all

We need some help

[Intro]

(Birds don't, birds don't, birds don't, birds don't)

[Verse 1: Pusha T, Clipse]

Lost in emotion, mama's youngest

Tryna navigate life without my compass

Some experience death and feel numbness

But not me, I felt it all and couldn't function

Seein' you that day

Tellin' you my plans but I was leavin' you that day

It was in God's hands, Ye was at Elon's waiting to get with me

On my way to Texas, that's when Virginia hit me

And I realized in that instant

Our last conversation, you was against it

Told you I was going to Turks for Thanksgiving

I heard what I wanted to hear but didn't listen

You said you told Gene that Bup needed forgiveness

I see you went to DD's and stuffed both her fridges

You even told Dad you wished y'all never splitted

See, you were checkin' boxes, I was checkin' my mentions

Sayin' you was tired but not ready to go

Basically was dyin' without letting me know

I loved you met Nige, hate that he won't remember you

Two things that break my heart is what Novembers do

And T follows you, now mind you

DD calls you, Gene finds you, was that your vision?

Precision, while I'm reminiscin'

It all hits different, Ma, listen

[Chorus: King Sis & Tariq Ali, King Sis, Tariq Ali]

The birds don't sing

The birds don't sing, they screech in pain (Yeah), pain

The birds don't sing

The birds don't sing, they screech in pain, pain

Birds don't sing

The birds don't sing, they screech in pain, oh-ooh

[Verse 2: Malice, King Sis & Tariq Ali]

Your car was in the driveway, I knew you were home

By the third knock, a chill ran through my bones

The way you missed Mama, I guess I should've known

Chivalry ain't dead, you ain't let her go alone

Found you in the kitchen, scriptures in the den

Half-written texts that you never got to send

Combin' through your dresser drawer, where do I begin?

Postin' noted Bible quotes, were you preparin' then?

I can hear your voice now, I can feel your presence

Askin' "Should I rap again?", you gave me your blessing

The way you spelled it out, there's an L in every lesson

"Boy, you owe it to the world, let your mess become your message"

Shared you with my friends, the Pops they never had

You lived for our fishin' trips, damn, I had a dad

Mine taught discipline, mine taught structure

Mine didn't mind when he had to pull a double (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

Mine worked overtime, smiled through the struggle (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

'Cause mine wouldn't let us feel what he had to suffer (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

See, mine made sure he had every base covered (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

So imagine his pain findin' base in the cupboard (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

Birds don't sing if the words don't sting (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

Your last few words in my ear still ring (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

You told me that you loved me, it was all in your tone (Oh-ooh, whoa-oh)

"I love my two sons" was the code to your phone, now you're gone (Oh-ooh)

[Chorus: King Sis & Tariq Ali, King Sis, Tariq Ali, Malice]

The birds don't sing (Come on)

The birds don't sing, they screech in pain (Whoa), pain

The birds don't sing

The birds don't sing, they screech in pain, pain

[Interlude: Yoo Q!]

We're gonna get our clap on to this, alright?

Y'all ready?

[Chorus: King Sis & Tariq Ali, King Sis, Tariq Ali, Yoo Q!]

Birds don't sing (Come on), the birds don't sing

Birds don't sing, they screech in pain

Oh, the birds, they screech in pain, pain

The birds don't sing

The birds don't sing, they screech in pain, pain

I'm never gonna forget (Oh-oh)

[Outro: Stevie Wonder]

Remember those who lost their mothers and fathers

And make sure that every single moment that you have with them

You show them love

You show them love

You'll see