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Being Black & Christian In America

by Tra'mayne Williams

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1.
Verse 1 H-tine got something to say/ While I’m eating beats like dinner on a plate/ Bars like Athanasius the great/ Gospel and black history the game/ Take notes while you listening mane/ This beat going hard in the paint/ The extreme opposite of Novocaine, UUH/ Who cares where the best at/ or whoever got the best raps/ My bars, feel em’ in yo chest, Like a Big Show chest slap/ African Christianity, my church fathers be too black/ Christianity the white man’s religion, ya’ll argument too wack/ Man please where your source at, tell me dog where you get that/ Youtube link, Facebook meme, or the wrapper of a kit-kat?/ Ya’ll really a joke, steady saying ya’ll woke/ Thought process broke, ya’ll don’t really want the smoke/ False Ideologies and silly philosophies are an atrocity/ I know you mad but you watching me, only the Spirit is stopping me/ He gave me the lyrics to drop heat, but His glory it’ll drop knees/ All praise to the mighty king, I was tripping but He got me/ Chorus, repeat 2x Christ In my life, Athanasius on the shirt Christ in my life Athanasius on the shirt Christ in my life, Athanasius on the shirt Christ in my life, Athanasius on the shirt Verse 2 Repping the woke church, no sir it’s not a religion/ It’s sound doctrine and rich theology, we active on mission/ Isaiah 1:17, seeking justice like God told us/ No favoritism in the body bruh, it’s fair when we roll up/ We defend the oppressed, helping those who are stressed/ Then lead them to Christ, in Him find rest/ We look after the orphans, and widows in their distress/ This is what God accepts, He said it’s faultless/ These things don’t replace the gospel, we know that/ But we still doing the work though, without them Kodaks/ Not looking to our own interest, but the interest of others/ Like the homeless and the poor, single fathers, single mothers/ Dope dealers and prostitutes, murderers that got life/ Pedophiles and the racist YEP, they can find hope in Christ/ He’ll change your life mane, turn the whole thing around/ He did it for me, all the way in H-Town/ Chorus, Repeat 2x Christ in my life, Athanasius on the shirt, Christ in my life, Athanasius on the shirt, Christ in my life, Athanasius on the shirt, Christ in my life, Athanasius on the shirt. “There is thus, no inconsistency between creation and salvation, for the One Father has employed the same Agent for both works, effecting the salvation of the world through the same Word who made it in the beginning.”- -St. Athanasius, from his book “On The Incarnation”
2.
Verse 1 The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria/ Birthed in the first century and still got the stamina/ Still pumping through centuries of oppression/ Known worldwide for their apostolic succession/ Largest Christian community in the Middle East/ Guess that’s why the Middle East still got peace/ My bad, I forgot a definition/ What are Coptics, man that’s egyptian christians/ Africans who love the Lord and believe/ Jesus died on the cross and rose for you and me/ The first bishop who planted the Alexandrian Church/ Was the Mark the Evangelist, he started that whole work/ After Mark came Anianus/ Put in 22 years of leadership man, I was astonished/ After Anianus was Abilius, but we just getting started the next verse gets serious. Chorus, Repeat 2X C.O.C.A. COCA! Coptic Orthodox Church lit I’ma show ya, C.O.C.A. COCA! it’s gospel and black history mane, thought I told ya, C.O.C.A. COCA! Coptic Orthodox lit I’ma show ya, C.O.C.A. COCA! it’s gospel and black history mane, thought I told ya Verse 2 Next in line we got Cerdo/ 10 plus years in ministry no furlough/ Got arrested, after that got martyred/ Cause he wouldn’t bow down to nobody but God the Father/ Next came Primus, number 5/ Filled with good deeds ascetic and he was pious/ Bishop number 6 was Justus in that jawn/ Preaching, teaching, and reaching before Harvest Point/ The first dean of the catechetical school/ Of Alexandria, say mane that’s too cool/ Number 7 Euminus, all about Christian mission/ Ordained and sent preachers to Nubian provinces/ This word is for them white man religion folk/ Who be thinking they woke, but their vision is broke/ Like Ephesians, arise O sleeper/ Give your life to Christ homeboy, he’ll be ya reaper/ Chorus, Repeat 2X C.O.C.A. COCA! Coptic Orthodox Church lit I’ma show ya, C.O.C.A. COCA! it’s gospel and black history mane thought I told ya, C.O.C.A. COCA! Coptic Orthodox lit I’ma show ya, C.O.C.A. COCA! it’s gospel and black history mane thought I told ya
3.
Verse 1 Lord I just wanna worship You like I never have/ It’s a blessing and honor to call You my dad/ You taught me not to care about the latest fads/ Taught me humility when I wanted to brag/ You kept it 100 when I lied to You/ You heard me so clear when I cried to you/ Never turned your back when I left You alone/ Your omnipresent nature never left me alone/ You were there for me, before I made it here/ You’re all powerful Lord, just to make it clear/ You love me even more when I mess up/ Gotta fess up, without I’m nothing, but with You I’m blessed up/ Lord, I could never thank You enough/ But I thank You for dying on the cross and getting up/ Rising Sunday morning with all power in Your hands/ I just wanna worship You Lord, yeah that’s the plan/ Chorus, Repeat 2X I just wanna worship You, Like You deserve, In spirit and truth, But through my words, Verse 2 Lord I just wanna worship You in all of my days/ In all of my life Lord, in all of my ways/ Be in alignment with You Lord, when I say Your name/ Never grieving the Holy Spirit when I give You praise/ I wanna make You proud Lord, when I serve at church/ Give it all I got, when it comes to Kingdom work/ Show everybody on the planet how You look in me/ Be a light to the thugs, the criminals and G’s/ Do my best to show my daughters how to love You first/ The older they get, the more they understand their worth/ The realest ever is my Creator, He’s with us daily/ It could never be a man cuz we so shady/ Lord, I could never thank You enough/ But I thank You for dying on the cross and getting up/ Rising Sunday morning with all power in Your hands/ I just wanna worship You Lord, yeah that’s the plan/ Chorus, Repeat 2X I just wanna worship You, Like You deserve, In spirit and truth, But through my words. Verse 3 Hard times separate the men from the mice/ In my case, it brought me closer to Christ/ I found out I couldn’t do it on my own/ My life was orchestrated by a king on the throne/ Now I’m a changed man, He gave me a new life/ So I shine bright, hundred kilowatt lights/ Trying to tell ya’ll His love A-1/ His guidance perfect, the best protection/ I provide for the fam, cuz He provides for me/ He be opening doors, and He be holding the key/ See He humbled ya boy, pride made me slip/ So now I stay in my lane cuz He be driving the whip/ Lord I could never thank You enough/ But I thank You for dying on the cross and getting up/ Rising Sunday morning with all power in Your hands/ I just want to worship You Lord, yeah that’s the plan. Chorus, Repeat 2X I just wanna worship You, Like You deserve, In spirit and truth, But through my words.
4.
Verse 1 I’m a black diamond I don’t shine much/ But everybody I know get chills from my touch/ Outside spotted, inside blemished/ Still top quality just took longer to finish/ See I was created, close to the equator/ You call it the hood, I call it South Acres/ The place was real hot, the closest to hell/ But I went through the pressure and made it out well/ You probably thinking that was rough for my birth/ But I was created by the creator of earth/ The lowest in clarity but the greatest of vision/ Darkest in my class so can’t nobody miss em’/ Since I touched dine, mane I been on a mission/ To bless the world through my gift and my mission/ My bad ministry, I know you listening/ I was sent by God, I came to bless the industry/ Chorus, Repeat 2X Went through the pressure, went through the pain Went through the storm, went through the rain, And we still shining, Cuz we’re black diamonds, Verse 2 The flow mean, just as mean as I’m spitting it/ Lingo clear, so I know that you getting it, uuh/ Beats a pitch I’m Altuve hitting it, uuh/ I love this game, I’m so serious yeah/ But I love the Lord even more/ For cleaning me up, and opening up doors/ I never wore a time piece like Kors/ But I never had to result to busting them 4’s/ A black diamond, I’m oh so rare/ God spent extra time on me mane, I swear/ And even though folks judge, I don’t care/ Cuz’ I know I’m loved, and favor IS fair/ And by His stripes I am healed/ And I’m gone meet him, when I leave here/ I’m talking bout’ Jesus Christ, the bright light/ That gives me the A-1 shine in my life, cuz’ we/ Chorus, Repeat 2X Went through the pressure, went through the pain, Went through the storm, went through the rain, And we still shining, Cuz’ we’re black diamonds
5.
Verse 1 When you see me man, what do you see?/ A dope dealer, a thug, a dope fiend?/ A murderer, a rapist, and animal?/ Or a man, a father, a human being?/ Sho Baraka was right, we could compromise/ But when we open our doors we getting colonized/ When we close our doors, we get ostracized/ When we open our eyes though we can see them lies/ He said the former, I said the latter/ We not fooled by that white supremacist chatter/ Claim to love your neighbor but you portray hate/ Claim to love scripture, but you’re an apostate/ I pray somebody gives you the gospel/ Cuz your life towards God is real hostile/ Only Christ can give your life substance/ I’m praying for you man, while I’m still praying for justice, Ahmaud. Chorus, See I’m a just black man, And just like you, I got a family, And if you don’t see color, my brother, How will you ever see me? , I’m running with Ahmaud, I’m running with Ahmaud Arbery, I’m running with Ahmaud, I’m running with Ahmaud Arbery. Verse 2 Breonna Taylor dead but them cops still free/ They need to be fired, and put in jail please/ She wasn’t even 30 but the system did her dirty/ Ran in the house letting off shots in a flurry/ How can I forget, Elijah McCain/ Kind like a kid, treated like he was deranged/ Black people hurting mane, we all bleeding/ We all in pain, all our hearts leaking/ I’m tired of black folks killed/ Dead in the street, I’m having nightmares still/ When will it stop, when they gone treat us equal/ Breonna Taylor dead, Ahmaud and George were the sequel/ Sometimes I’m just mad, sometimes I want to cry/ But I’m a fight for justice til’ I’m on that other side/ Celebrate June Nineteenth still wanting freedom/ Give your life to Christ though mane we all need em’/ Chorus, Repeat 2X See I’m a just black man, And just like you, I got a family, And if you don’t see color my brother, How will you ever see me? , I’m running with Ahmaud. I’m running with Ahmaud Arbery, I’m running with Ahmaud. I’m running with Ahmaud Arbery.
6.
Verse 1 I read about a man named Athanasius/ If global impact was ice, he’ll be a glacier/ He wrote books like “On The Incarnation”/ About Christ Jesus and salvation/ 20th Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church/ Ordained as a teenager, he put in work/ He had a quote “Dead men can’t take action”/ Talking about how the Holy Spirit’s living and active/ Just like the word of God/ Cutting through your bones, soul, and your spirit and your marrow/ Athanasius lived in the 3rd century/ But I promise you, God’s eye is still on the sparrow/ The same way he protects me, he can protect you/ Through and through, that’s what he do/ To the point he gave his life for you/ If you accept that man, He brings life to you (Check it). Chorus 2X The Gospel and Black History, We’ve been following the Lord for years, I know it sound like a mystery, But listen close, I’ll make it clear. Verse 2 Next on the docket, Apollos/ Star on the Son’s team like Cedric Ceballos/ He was a Jew, and Alexandrian by birth/ He gave his life to Christ and did kingdom work/ Eloquent speech, his words paint pictures/ Did ministry in Ephesus, and he was mighty in the scriptures/ Instructed in the way of the Lord/ Though he was only acquainted with the baptism of John/ He spoke boldly in the synagogue/ Then Priscilla and Aquila heard him going hard/ So they pulled him aside, then gave him some game/ About the ways of God and how to explain/ The ways of God more accurate/ And that’s how his teaching graduated to immaculate/ Went to Achaia and refuted the Jews/ Demonstrating by the scriptures, that Christ is true/ Chorus 2X The Gospel and Black History, We’ve been worshipping the Lord for years, I know it sounds like a mystery, But listen close, I’ll make it clear.
7.
Verse 1 The Council of Nicea what was it really bout? An Egyptian heretic who was chasing clout? Or Constantine creating Christianity? Or the church fighting for spiritual sanity? Let's talk about a man named Arius/ Claimed sound doctrine but his teaching was nefarious/ Theological foolery/ He claimed Christ was created by God instead of having Triune unity/ Respected by the Alexandrian church at first/ But his heretical teachings started to hurt/ The body of Christ and Alexandrian believers/ Claiming truth, but he was a really a deceiver/ He said God the Father, was God/ But Jesus was subordinate to the Father, not God/ Also claimed Christ, was not the divine Word/ But if you read John 1, you know that’s absurd. Chorus, 2X The Council, The Council, The Council, The Council whaaaat, The Council, The Council, The Council, The Council of Nicea Verse 2 Now we discuss Alexander, man of spiritual stamina/ Bishop of the Coptic Church of Alexandria/ He wrote letters that edified the church/ Rooted in scripture and deep biblical work/ He said Christ was the Son of the Father/ But had the same nature as the Father for starters/ He was a man of the text, so he knew/ This claim was supported by the first chapter in Hebrews/ Alexander was right, Arius was wrong/ But settling differences would take kind of long/ Constantine heard about the separation/ Then told them both to seek reconciliation/ And after this, an agreement seemed doubtful/ So Constantine called the first Ecumenical Council/ A.D. 325 was the year/ And that’s how we got the Council of Nicea. Chorus 2x The Council, The Council The Council, The Council whaaat, The Council, The Council, The Council, The Council of Nicea. Verse 3 The conscious community claims/ Christianity was created at the council mane/ and if you read real sources, you’ll know the truth/ That's where my confidence lies while I’m in the booth/ Present at the council, 300+ bishops/ 90 percent from the east, not the west, listen/ From Turkey to India, they was all about that action bruh/ Bishop Alexander, was from Africa/ Umar Johnson, said it was europeanized/ But if you read a book you can see them lies/ Christianity’s been relevant, since the 1st Century/ But the council was called to get clarity/ On what christians believe/ Was Jesus created or was he G-O-D?/ On the truth, they finally agreed/ And wrote a document, called the Nicene Creed. Chorus 2X The Council, The Council, The Council, The Council whaaat, The Council, The Council, The Council, The Council of Nicea.
8.
Tokenism 03:11
Verse 1 I don’t want to be a token/ naw bro no joking/ I don’t want to be the only black teaching bible study cuz you focused/ On making sure your white church/ look a little more diverse/ Never really cared about my gifts, You just wanted me to sing first/ Gave me about five titles/ I don’t even know what I’m a lead first/ Then I ask for a salary man, You tell me get a degree first/ Man, I know at least five people, And they all got stipends/ And I serve more than all of them together/ Ya’ll know that’s trifling/ Chorus 2X I don’t want to be your token negro, Cuz I got talent, show me off to the people, That ain’t what it is, Come on you can do better than this, Verse 2 All black people not poor/ I grew up with em’, so I’m sure/ But when it’s time for that mission work/ Why go all the way to Honduras?/ Yes, I know they poor dude, but so is third ward too/ 4th ward and 5th ward, southwest, southeast too/ Eastside and the Northeast, everywhere I see poverty/ Five churches on six blocks, high supply low demanding/ But when I ask around, the community feel so abandoned/ Oh you raised $50 Million good, but why spend it ALL on a building/ Yes I’m black, but I don’t just play sports/ I’m a scientist, economist/ I’m a judge in court/ I’m a doctor, I’m a farmer, and I’m a lawyer too/ And I was made in God’s image/ I should be more than a token to you/. Chorus 2X I don’t want to be your token negro, Cuz I got talent show me off to the people, That ain’t what it is, Come on you can do better than this. (I don’t want to be a token, I don’t want to be a token, I don’t want to be a token)
9.
I’m walking in the Spirit letting God lead/ Just so I can keep up with God’s speed/ Flesh slowing me down, so I gotta fight it/ I’m at war with it now, even while I’m writing/ I walk by faith not sight/ When I can’t see the way, the Lord gives me light/ So the darkness is gone/ I remember a time when darkness was home/ Struggled with sin, and impure thoughts/ Battling my demons while bearing my cross/ I thought I was strong because I played ball/ Following the devil everytime he called/ Then God called my name/ Took away the pain, and made me unashamed/ Now that’s real cuz I live for Him/ When He leads the way, the failure is pretty slim. Chorus, repeat 2x I’m walking in the Spirit/ It’s real, so I feel it/ Giving me the game/ Now I live life unashamed/ Verse 2 I’m walking in the Spirit letting God lead/ Just so I can keep up with God speed/ Flesh slowing me down so I gotta fight it/ I’m at war with it now even while I’m writing/ I am the Lord’s workmanship/ Created for Christ and His purposes/ Never to live by bread alone/ But the word of God keep me fed and strong I’m Led by the Spirit so I’m a son of God/ That’s Yahweh, Elohim, mean’s he not a fraud/ Real God giving real direction/ In His wisdom, I find protection/ God of justice and love/ And righteousness from the heavens above/ The devil is a lover, you know how I know that bro?/ Cuz I’m walking in the Spirit bro. Chorus, Repeat 2x I’m walking in the Spirit, It’s real so I feel it, Giving me the game, Now I live life unashamed.
10.
Verse 1 All Hail to the King of the Jews/ I’ll be bragging on this song, telling ya’ll what it do/ How Christ died on the cross, saved me from my sins/ With everlasting power, he don’t have to do it again/ All I had to do was believe, in J to the E/ S-U- to the S, now your boy living free/ And I’m living in victory cuz I’ve been blood bought/ And I killed my old ways, now they lying in chalk/ All praise to God, he the reason I’m living/ Sent His Son as a sacrifice, He the reason I’m winning/ Holy Spirit the realest, He gives me the conviction/ And they all work together, just like a motor with pistons/ See I know what you missing, but you trying to be cool/ And be accepted by folks, who living like fools/ Say mane, I was a fool, now boys calling me wise/ And a child of God bro, tell me that ain’t live. Chorus 2X Struggle is Real but we on now, Struggle is real but we on now, By grace through faith I’m saved now, Whole life fell apart but I’m whole now. Verse 2 Sit back relax, simmer down, free your mind folk/ And if you need a chill pill, here’s your anecdote/ I gotta let it go, I’m talking bout them rhymes/ Put em’ on the pad, like a helicopter landed by a pro/ Now that’s perfect, no flaws, no blemish/ Just like the Lord’s salvation work finished/ See I was lost, that’s what my life was missing/ A downright purging, a spiritual cleansing/ Young cat from the H, no pops home/ But my momma stayed on me like the Broncos/ Defense during superbowl 50/ And kept me in the church, put the belt on me swiftly/ Protection was a must, momma really believed in that/ We coming from the hood, where them cats will empty the gats/ It’s real in the field, we was trying to live/ No father around mane, who gone protect the kids?/ Chorus 2X Struggle is real but we on now, Struggle is real but we on now, By grace through faith I’m saved now, Whole life fell apart but I’m whole now. Verse 3 I’m bending corners rolling late at night/ And I ain’t getting into nothing but I’m rolling tight/ I got my car washed up with the works too/ Fresh pair of jeans, new kicks and a shirt too/ I ain’t even got it on, I ain’t trying to stunt/ Insomnia got me up bro I can’t even front/ I’m riding through the Southside on a Saturday/ Jamming Jered Sanders’ album, “Hurry Up and Wait”/ Now that’s a CHH classic/ Sound doctrine bars, the windows down, the music blasting/ Talking to God getting clarity on the passion/ But this for my life bro, so please stop asking/ I’m riding through the trey now, and it’s crazy lit/ Junkies walking the streets bro, you ain’t made for this/ I didn’t think I was either, but I made it through/ Coming up in H-Tine boy, steady jamming screw. Chorus 2X Struggle Is real, but we on now, Struggle is real, but we on now, By grace through faith, I’m saved now, Whole life fell apart, but I’m whole now.
11.
Verse 1 Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus/ Church father from Africa bruh, not Asia Minor/ Born in Carthage, modern day Tunisia/ Wrote treatises on how to tame the beast in ya/ Or better yet, the sin that you be dealing with/ Or control the tongue that you be spitting with/ He was of berber origin/ Got a library of authorship written in Latin literature yeah he was going in/ Christian apologist/ Went hard for the kingdom dog, he had to tell em’ what the gospel is/ Christ crucified, died for you and I/ And rose from the dead, ya’ll thought it was suicide/ The difference between you living a lie/ Or you living on the truth cuz the Holy Spirit inside/ Like He lived inside of Tertullian/ Accept Christ and Lord and Savior bro, and you can win. Chorus 2X Before the Jim Crow precautions, And before slave auctions, The Gospel and Black History was the topic, Today we talkin’ bout a christian from Carthage. Verse 2 Tertullian was born in A.D. 155, 1400+ years before the slavetrade/ Skin color looked something like chocolate, Definitely the total opposite of lemonade/ He wrote a book named Apologeticus, Written to the Roman officers and the magistrates/ The reason was to defend Christianity, And expose the truth about Roman hate/ And the persecution they dealt with/ By being burned alive and getting their flesh slit/ All for being selfless/ And relying on Jesus Christ to save us from our deathwish (UUHH)/ Labeled the father of Latin Christianity, First to use the word trinity or phrase Trinitas/ Founder of western theology, But without Christ Jesus boy, ya soul is lost!/ Chorus 2X Before the Jim Crow precautions, And before slave auctions, The gospel and black history was the topic, Today we talkin’ bout’ a christian from carthage. (Tra’mayne Williams On Da Track Mane)!! We Out!!
12.
Imago Dei 04:05
Verse 1 I’m writing this song cuz the pain is strong/ These bars gon’ hurt like a kidney stone/ I’m looking at my brothers and sisters in Christ/ The black and brown fam, and the ones that’s white/ Some fighting with me, yeah I know that/ To the ones who are silent, where your voice at?/ Kaepernick takes a knee, ya’ll screaming/ Innocent being spilt on the street, you not steaming?/ Unarmed blacks getting murdered, you not hot?/ Executed by the force, targeted by the cops?/ Everything looks different in the world now/ My Conversations are different with my girls now/ What I tell em, your skin is beautiful to dad?/ But when white america sees it, they’ll be mad?/ Cuz they don’t see you the same/ But God loves you, you were made in his picture frame/ Chorus Standing for unity got to kill the hate, Speaking up against oppression in my own way, I don’t want my life to be ended by hate, We’re all made in the Imago Dei. Verse 2 While I was writing, saw a post from my sister/ Some people in her family, wanted to dismiss her/ All because she white, but love black people/ And hate racism, she think everybody equal/ She recognizes her white privilege/ But for the next person, she’s willing to kill it/ Rachel Gilmore Williams, I love you sis/ And I hope you get healing from this/ Matthew and Stacy Todd/ Y’all stepped in and helped us, when life hit hard/ During Hurricane Harvey, we were something like quarantined/ But ya’ll found a way to bring us groceries/ You love my wife, ya’ll love our kids/ I know you got my back, during times like this/ You’ve always been a friend to me/ Thanks to Matt for showing interest in my ministry/ Chorus Standing for unity got to kill the hate, Speaking up against oppression in my own way, I don’t want my life to be ended by hate, We’re all made in the Imago Dei. Verse 3 My city lost a great one, George Floyd/ From these H-tine streets, but gave his life to God/ Did ministry with Reconcile, and Corey Paul/ In the Cuney Homes where it’s not easy to smile/ Rest in peace, to Breonna taylor/ I’m praying for your family now, and later/ Rest in peace to David McAtee/ You were murdered, while helping your community, man.

about

This album created to give me a voice to talk through my pain of dealing with church hurt and the things I discuss or deal with by being black and Christian in America.

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released January 1, 2021

All songs written by Robert Tra'mayne Williams
All Songs produced/composed by Robert Tra'mayne Williams
Album Artwork : Benny Morant, CEO of Arrow Consulting
Struggle Is Real, Gospel and Black History, C.O.C.A., Black Diamonds were all recorded at Barron Studios with Senior Engineer Davis
All other songs were recorded and mixed by Robert Tra'mayne Williams
Master recordings owned by Tra'maynes Publishing

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Tra'mayne Williams Houston, Texas

I go by Tra'mayne Williams. I am a father of two children, and a husband of one wife. I love music and I pray that my music glorifies Christ and blesses you in a big way.

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