Once I was seven years old and my mama told me to be the kindest girl that I could be Once I was seven years old This is a scary world, I didn't let that phase me We put our brave face on from the morning til the evening And by eleven I learnt words that hurt more than bruises Life is a restless game, we're tryin not to lose it Once I was eleven years old, my daddy told me - my heart had to be the prettiest thing about me Once I was eleven years old I've always dreamt so big, and I'ma keep on dreaming And in a hopeless world, I've always kept believing, I've always kept on breathing, always kept achieving Despite the sticks and stones, I will not be defeated Soon I'll be twenty years old and my brothers told me to hold the ones who love me most so closely Soon I'll be twenty years old I wanna make a change, make this place a little better We need to live within a world where everybody matters I don't wanna see anyone's sons or daughters cryin, cause they don't fit in with what society has taught them Soon I'll be twenty years old and my friends have told me to keep my chin up when my tears are streaming Soon I'll be twenty years old Soon we'll be thirty years old, what will our lives hold? Will I be satisfied with all that surrounds me? Soon I'll be thirty years old No matter how old we are age is just a number It's never too late to love To reach or care for each other To forgive a brother, or to find a lover Life is a mystery waiting to be discovered Soon I'll be sixty years old, my life will be a story Where my children tell their children about me I'll watch a generation rise up to change the nation, the past lays down foundations for the future celebrations Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I be all alone cause I never valued what was all around me? Soon I'll be sixty years old Soon I'll be sixty years old, and God will show me that he was by my side through my every heartbeat Once I was seven years old and my mama told me to be the kindest girl that I could be Once I was seven years old Once I was seven years old