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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Vocals
Dave Hamelin
Dave Hamelin
Guitar
Gavin Williams
Gavin Williams
Organ
Justus West
Justus West
Guitar
Robert Randolph
Robert Randolph
Steel Guitar
Justin Schipper
Justin Schipper
Steel Guitar
Ryan Svendsen
Ryan Svendsen
Trumpet
Ink
Ink
Guitar
Ink
Ink
Guitar
Lemar Carter
Lemar Carter
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Songwriter
Dave Hamelin
Dave Hamelin
Songwriter
Atia Boggs
Atia Boggs
Songwriter
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Producer
Dave Hamelin
Dave Hamelin
Producer
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq
Additional Producer
Stuart White
Stuart White
Mixing Engineer
Andrea Roberts
Andrea Roberts
Additional Engineer
Matheus Braz
Matheus Braz
Assistant Engineer
Ink
Ink
Producer
Colin Leonard
Colin Leonard
Mastering Engineer
Ink
Ink
Producer
Hotae Alexander Jang
Hotae Alexander Jang
Recording Engineer
John Cranfield
John Cranfield
Additional Engineer

Lyrics

[Chorus]
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my dreams away
To the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long back road, all the tears I fight
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my dreams away
To the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long black road, all the tears I fight
[Verse 1]
At fifteen, the innocence was gone astray
Had to leave my home at an early age
I saw Mama praying, I saw Daddy grind
All my tender problems had to leave behind
[PreChorus]
It's been umpteen summers that I'm not in my bed
On the back of the bus, in a bunk with the band
Going so hard, gotta choose myself
Underpaid and overwhelmed
I might cook, clean, but still won't fold
Still working all my life, you know
Only God knows, only God knows, only God knows
[Chorus]
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my fears away
Into the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long back road, all the tears I fight
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my fears away
To the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long back road, all the tears I fight
[Verse 2]
16 dollars working all day
Ain't got time to waste, I got art to make
I got love to create on this holy night
They won't dim my light all these years I fight
[PreChorus]
It's been thirty-eight summers, and I'm not in my bed
On the back of the bus, in a bunk with the band
Going so hard, now I miss my kids
Overworked and overwhelmed
I might cook, clean, but still won't fold
Still working all my life, you know
Only God knows, only God knows, only God knows
[Chorus]
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my fears away
To the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long back road, all the tears I fight
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my fears away
To the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long back road, all these tears I fight
[Verse 3]
At fifteen, the innocence was gone astray
Had to take care of home at an early age
I saw Mama crying, I saw Daddy lying
Had to sacrifice and leave my fears behind
[Bridge]
For legacy, if it's the last thing I do
You'll remember me 'cause we got something to prove
In your memory, on the highway to truth
Still see our faces when you close your eyes
[Outro]
16 carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my dreams away
Written by: Beyoncé, Dave Hamelin, Atia Boggs, Raphael Saadiq

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