I've never been to jail
but I have been to hell
matter of fact....
I've been to hell and back
just take a look at my scars
I'll let you feel the war wounds
tattooed over my heart
I grew accustomed to pain
and well acquainted with struggle
took care of friends and family
with the strength of my hustle
I kept my cross to myself
with no complaint or discussion
walked through the valley of death
as if I didn't fear nothing
I know the Lord is my shepherd
but I'm the blackest of sheep
the product of a broken home
don't nobody want me
excuse the pain in my tone
but I was forced to be grown
my daddy didn't know no better
so he left me alone
he left my mama abused
a rollin' stone on the move
I used to visit in the summer
is that all we could do?
He never gave me advice
or played a role in my life
he payed a little child support
and maybe called once or twice
but I needed more than that money
more than occasional calls
you should have taught me how to fight
and how to play basketball
you should have helped me learn to drive
and inspired my dreams
i've wasted too much of my life
wanting you to want me
but that was then
this is now
my grandma held me down
my grandad gave me a work ethic
so I'm gone make 'em proud
with my American Dream
piece of American Pie
I pledge allegance to my hustle
got to grind or die
the harder it gets
will be the harder I try
I vow to never give up strugglin'
'till the day that I die
and while I'm alive
I keep my eyes on the prize
and try to win it for the people life left behind
while I'm alive
I keep my eyes on the prize
and try to win it for the people
life left behind.....
NittyGritt (c) 2005
but I have been to hell
matter of fact....
I've been to hell and back
just take a look at my scars
I'll let you feel the war wounds
tattooed over my heart
I grew accustomed to pain
and well acquainted with struggle
took care of friends and family
with the strength of my hustle
I kept my cross to myself
with no complaint or discussion
walked through the valley of death
as if I didn't fear nothing
I know the Lord is my shepherd
but I'm the blackest of sheep
the product of a broken home
don't nobody want me
excuse the pain in my tone
but I was forced to be grown
my daddy didn't know no better
so he left me alone
he left my mama abused
a rollin' stone on the move
I used to visit in the summer
is that all we could do?
He never gave me advice
or played a role in my life
he payed a little child support
and maybe called once or twice
but I needed more than that money
more than occasional calls
you should have taught me how to fight
and how to play basketball
you should have helped me learn to drive
and inspired my dreams
i've wasted too much of my life
wanting you to want me
but that was then
this is now
my grandma held me down
my grandad gave me a work ethic
so I'm gone make 'em proud
with my American Dream
piece of American Pie
I pledge allegance to my hustle
got to grind or die
the harder it gets
will be the harder I try
I vow to never give up strugglin'
'till the day that I die
and while I'm alive
I keep my eyes on the prize
and try to win it for the people life left behind
while I'm alive
I keep my eyes on the prize
and try to win it for the people
life left behind.....
NittyGritt (c) 2005