Da' T.R.U.T.H. - Nights In Atlanta Lyrics
Lyrics
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
I was just a kid on the block
Young black boy in the 'hood
Catchin' grasshoppers in the lot
Always gettin' bullied in the school
Always gettin' change from the arcade
Fully kissed, thought that that was cool
'Round the corner from the projects
I would skip and go to the pool
Talk about Emanuel Lee
Always really misunderstood
I would always land on my feet
Even when I ran from the wolves
I ain't have a plan for the week
But I had a handful of tools
Had good parents to lead playin' by the rules, cruise
You'll never leave me now
You are the light in the darkness
You'll always be around
What I really need in my world right now
You'll never leave me now (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
You'll never leave me now (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
You'll never leave me
Never gotta pay a debt to you
Cause you will never leave me alone
Ever have a friend that would just
Listen to you breathe on the phone?
I remember crabs on the step
With an ice cream on the cone
Me and Cab we was in the zone
I was just 10 years old
Boy I had to fight just to manage
Man I had a height disadvantage
I don't know why Cab took his life
But I had a light in the shadows
I was running alleys and the streets
All my homies' life was in shambles
In between the valleys and the peaks
It was really Christ in the battles (Yeah)
Now it's nights in Atlanta (Boy)
You'll never leave me now (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
You'll never leave me now (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
You'll never leave me
Video
Da' T.R.U.T.H. - NIGHTS IN ATLANTA [Official Music Video]
Meaning & Inspiration
Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s "Nights In Atlanta," a standout track from his 2023 album *Emanuel*, delves into a deeply personal journey of resilience, faith, and remembrance, anchored by a profound understanding of divine presence. The song opens by painting a vivid picture of childhood in a challenging environment. The narrator recalls being a young Black boy in the "hood," experiencing the common anxieties of schoolyard bullies and the simple pleasures of youthful pursuits like catching grasshoppers and earning arcade change. This early imagery of vulnerability and struggle is juxtaposed with an inherent resourcefulness, the narrator noting he "always land[ed] on [his] feet" and possessed "a handful of tools" even without a concrete plan. This narrative arc is significant, showcasing the formative experiences that shaped his perspective and laid the groundwork for his later understanding of unwavering support.
The core message of "Nights In Atlanta" centers on an unshakeable assurance of God's constant companionship. The repeated refrain, "You'll never leave me now," is not merely a hopeful declaration but a testament to a lived spiritual reality. It echoes the divine promise found throughout Scripture, such as Deuteronomy 31:6 which states, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." This unwavering presence is presented as the essential element, the "light in the darkness" and "what I really need in my world right now." The lyric about a friend who would "listen to you breathe on the phone" further illustrates this theme, translating an earthly concept of steadfast friendship into a divine parallel, where God's attentive care is absolute and constant.
The narrative takes a poignant turn as the narrator reflects on a friend, Cab, who tragically took his own life. This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the valleys and peaks of life, the "shambles" that can afflict even those surrounded by camaraderie. Yet, even in the face of such profound loss and the surrounding chaos, the narrator identifies a "light in the shadows." This "light" is unequivocally identified as Christ, who was present "in the battles." This interpretation aligns with passages like Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." The transition from the raw memories of struggle and loss to the overarching theme of Christ's enduring presence transforms "Nights In Atlanta" from a song of mere remembrance into a powerful anthem of faith. It’s a testament to how divine love and support can illuminate even the darkest periods of life, offering solace and strength through every trial. The "nights in Atlanta" therefore become a metaphor not just for a place or a time, but for the human experience itself, rendered navigable and ultimately triumphant through an unyielding relationship with God.