[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