Absolutely, I can help guide you on how to pronounce the lines in your song, ensuring that each word is clear and impactful. We'll go through the bars slowly, focusing on enunciation and the natural flow of the lyrics. ### Verse 1 **"Raised as a lil' honky boy, Cree blood on the rez"** - Focus on the emphasis of "**lil'**" and "**Cree**"; make sure to hit the 'k' sound in "Cree" distinctly. **"Swedish roots, distant lands, in my dreams and my head"** - Emphasize "**Swedish roots**" and the rhythm of "**distant lands**." The consonance in "dreams" and "head" should match in tone. **"From laughter and powwows to a silence so dead"** - The transition from "**laughter**" and "**powwows**" to "**silence**" should feel stark. Emphasize "dead" to make the contrast more dramatic. **"Mama called me home, to a new world to tread"** - Make "Mama" warm and tender, and emphasize "**new world**" to capture the sense of entering an unknown space. ### Chorus **"Not white, not red, caught in the middle I stand"** - The key here is the rhythm of "**Not white, not red**," which should be rhythmic and firm. "Caught in the middle I stand" flows smoothly, the word "stand" held a bit longer for emphasis. **"Call me what you will, but know I'm my own brand"** - Pronounce "**Call me**" clearly and place a subtle emphasis on "**my own brand**," making the identity declaration powerful. ### Verse 2 **"New school, cold stares, from where does he come?"** - The words "**New school**" should be pronounced distinctly. The question at the end, "where does he come?" should be pronounced with a rising intonation, like an actual question. **"Words like daggers, they called me a savage, undone"** - Emphasize "daggers" and "savage," making the harshness of these words felt. "Undone" should sound final and heavy. **"Fighting to belong, in a world so numb"** - Put stress on "**Fighting**" and "**numb**"; these are key words that convey a lot of emotion. **"Swedish face, Cree heart, to neither succumb"** - Emphasize "**Swedish face, Cree heart**" to highlight the duality of your heritage. "Neither succumb" should be firm, showing resilience. ### Bridge **"Learned from every tear, every frown, every glance"** - Each "every" should be pronounced with equal emphasis, showing the accumulation of experiences. **"Merged my worlds, my heritage, took my own stance"** - The words "**Merged**" and "**stance**" should stand out, encapsulating your journey and resolution. ### Verse 3 and Outro Follow similar guidance, focusing on key words and the emotional delivery of each line. Each word needs to convey the part of your story it represents, so practicing the flow and pronunciation in the context of the song's beat and your personal delivery style will be crucial. Feel free to practice these lines out loud, experimenting with emphasis and pacing until it feels right for the music and your expression.