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PAPAMI · Letting myself be held

Your Little Girl

I grew up. Some nights, I still need my papa.

English · Yorùbá · Nigerian Pidgin

PAPAMI cover

Papa… just hold my hand.

Full lyrics · English · Yorùbá · Nigerian Pidgin

Your Little Girl

The words, just as I sing them.

Oh Papa
(Bàbá mi…)
Oh Papa

Mama never said a bad word about you
We all find different ways to bear the pain
I understand now why you walked away
But it hurts, it hurts me just the same

I held Mama while she cried
So who’s gonna hold me now?

Oh Papa, oh Papa
(Bàbá mi…)
Put your warm hand over mine
I’ve been strong for everybody
I’m not strong enough tonight
Oh Papa, oh Papa
I grew up, but I’m still your little girl
(Ọmọ rẹ ni mí…)
Still your little girl

My own skin felt like it had turned against me
I barely held my two halves together
Like I was holding you and Mama
Trying not to let us fall apart
I don’t know why I turned out this way
But my heart split in two when you walked away

I held Mama while she cried
Papa, who’s gonna hold me now?

Oh Papa, oh Papa
(Bàbá mi…)
Put your warm hand over mine
(Papa, abeg…)
I’ve been strong for everybody
I’m not strong enough tonight
Oh Papa, oh Papa
I grew up, but I’m still your little girl
(Your pikin still dey…)
Still your little girl

I waited so long for your “I’m sorry”
I didn’t feel the anger fade
Somewhere in the years without you
I forgave you on my own
(I don forgive you…)

Oh Papa, oh Papa
(Bàbá mi!)
Put your warm hand over mine
(Stay with me, abeg…)
I’ve been strong for everybody
I’m not strong enough tonight
Oh Papa, oh Papa
I grew up, but I’m still your little girl
(Ọmọ rẹ ni mí!)
Still your little girl

I don’t need those years back
(I don forgive you…)
Just put your hand in mine
(Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ…)

Oh Pa-a-pa!
Still your little girl

Papa… just hold my hand

Keep this one close

Take the song with you.

Three songs. Room for every feeling.