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[Intro: MC Lyte] |
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Dear John |
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Know this life has been filled with stress and pain |
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If I could, I would take it all away |
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All away |
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[Verse 1: MC Lyte] |
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I know you gotta feel like your back is pinned against the wall most times |
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But in those times, you remain open |
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Closed minds will get you nowhere |
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Gotta move with no fare, so dear |
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I salute you |
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Knowing everything you've been through is just a journey |
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Every man must take the key |
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For some it's not to make the same mistakes |
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And fall victim to the chaos the world creates |
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In the heat of the moment |
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You can mistake an ally for an opponent |
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And wipe your own out |
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What a waste, and an evasive hate |
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You discover that it's too late |
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[Hook: 10Beats] (x2) |
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What you wanna do |
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So you wanna be ballers, shot callers |
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Dippin' in the Benz straight lawless |
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Or would you rather be fathers to your daughters? |
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Even though it's getting harder |
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[Verse 2: Common] |
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A letter to the better, to better the demonstration |
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Situation got you wishin' for ventilation |
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Can't a nigga breathe, trying to find what I believe |
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It's hard for a tree to grow when father figures leave |
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Plus I got a seed and my baby mama need |
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Smoke a little weed to keep my mind free |
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Only God can judge me, so to him I plead |
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Fifth in my hand, the myth of a man |
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That I should know it all and I ain't supposed to fall |
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Getting locked up and boxed up, protocol |
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Writings on the wall, fighting for the cause |
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Read a letter from the world and it said "It's yours" |
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[Hook] (x2) |
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[Verse 3: MC Lyte] |
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Confused with those who say they have your back |
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I feel your pain, I know you're under attack |
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To be strong in all things in all ways, just ain't real, so some stray |
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Lives left in hallways, death's breath is in the air |
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Let your thirstful life persevere |
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Someone once said you were chosen |
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Bus as you gotten older, doors are now closin' |
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Karma comes around |
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And all those silly things you did as a grown child are wheelin' down in your direction |
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But not all hope is lost |
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Gather your thoughts for the second coming |
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And I'm guessing you'll be stronger than you've ever been |
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Ever |
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[Hook] (x2) |