“I woke up this morning and I was above ground.” has been an ongoing response from me when someone asks me how I am doing and I may not be feeling very upbeat and positive.
I am not sure when I first heard this expression but I did post it to the blog on May 28, 2007.
But, of course, all things in our current lives begin when we wake up and we are above ground, and not dead and buried under ground.
Moreover, if we are not above ground my expression “Be practical and expect miracles if we just take the first step forward every day” becomes superfluous. Therefore I think that I need to reframe this expression. An attitude of gratitude would probably be more appropriate for me. what do you think?
With that idea in mind I began to search the web to see where the expression pops up and I came across Above Ground by Plies rapped by him with the line “I’m just happy I’m above ground”.
I am not a fan of rap but I can enjoy his lyrics.
Video: Above Ground by Plies
Lyrics: Above Ground by Plies
[Chorus]
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
[Verse 1]
Thank god every day I wake up
For letting me see another 24
And I ain’t letting nobody stress me
I just dance for damn shows
And some people might make happy
I’m just happy I ain’t dead and gone
I’m just happy that I woke up
And my name ain’t called in a tombstone
I’m just thankful my freedom here
That I can see a see help me
I don’t care about all the bell for wussy
I’m just thankful for the selfish shit
I’m just happy I can still walk
I’m just happy I can still talk
I’m just happy that the judge thought look at me sitting my ass off
I’m just breathing this good air
You blessed bitch if you still here
Cuz someones who’s out here
The entire lash ain’t still here
Free all the ones who need freeing
Help all the ones in need
I ain’t let nobody steal my joy
Cuz I’m happy bitch that I can still breathe
[Chorus]
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
[Verse 2]
I ain’t ever have bad days
Best never let the devil have his way
Them broke six figure
I’ma keep a smile on my face
Only caught up into bullshit
I hold a gasp into dumb shit
And please don’t call me
Telling me not somebody I had to say about
Because I ain’t interested
All my focus on is keep shining
Keep balling ad keep grinding
Ain’t word bout another dick
Cuz I’m too busy got to get mine
Ain’t I looking for no love
You can keep your thousands keep your hoes
I ain’t tryna keep it real with nobody
Out here we keep it real with us
Do you and I’ma do me
Cuz I am here where I gotta be
Cuz sometimes you can miss your blesses
When they right in front of you cuz you can’t see
I swear to god I got a plan b
I ain’t let nobody stopping me
I woke up this morning and was still above ground
So I’m winning bitch
[Chorus]
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some may make it this time around
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Some more got gunned down
I’m just happy I’m above ground
I’m just happy I’m above ground
Who is Plies?
I am not a big fan of rap and I have never heard Plies before, so I was curious above who this guy is. Here is the story I found on Wikipedia:
Algernod Lanier Washington (born July 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Plies, is an American hip hop recording artist.
He is the founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper.
After dropping out of college, he founded Big Gates with his stepbrother. Signed to Slip-n-Slide Records, from 2007 to 2008 he released three albums. Plies debuted in 2007 with The Real Testament with successful singles “Shawty” and “Hypnotized”.
Plies also released two albums in 2008, Definition of Real and Da REAList, and later released Goon Affiliated in 2010.
ALERT: Some risque language is present in this video.
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by James T. McCay
with Richard E. Ward
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