Pray - JAŸ-Z: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts

Pray

33,898

Hip-Hop/Rap

Pray was released on November 23, 2007 by Roc Nation / Jay-Z as a part of the album American Gangster (Acappella)

Song Details

AlbumAmerican Gangster (Acappella)

Release DateNovember 23, 2007

LabelRoc Nation / Jay-Z

LanguageEnglish

Melodicness

Acousticness

Valence

Danceability

Energy

BPM94

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Music Video

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

JAŸ-Z

Performer

Adonis Shropshire

Adonis Shropshire

Vocals

Carmen Cameron

Vocals

Cheri Dennis

Vocals

Leisa Johnson

Vocals

Shannon Jones

Vocals

Jayms Madison

Vocals

AJ Walker

Vocals

Beyoncé

Additional Vocals

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Shawn Carter

Songwriter

Sean Combs

Songwriter

Alan Hawkshaw

Songwriter

LV

Songwriter

Sean C.

Songwriter

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Diddy

Producer

LV

Producer

Sean C.

Producer

Victor Abjaoudi II

Victor Abjaoudi II

Recording Engineer

Steve Dickey

Recording Engineer

Andy Geel

Assistant Recording Engineer

Gimel Keaton

Recording Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Deliver me from my enemies, oh God

Defend me from those that rise up against me

Deliver me from the work as an inequity

And save me from the bloody men

[Verse 2]

Look, mind state of a gangster from the '40's

Meet the business mind of Motown's Barry Gordy

Turn crack rock into a chain, a forty forties

Sorry my jewelry's so gaudy

Slid into the party with my new pair of Maury's

America, meet the gangster Shawn Corey

Hey, young world, wanna hear a story?

Close your eyes and you could pretend you're me

I'm cut from the cloth of the Kennedys

Frank Sinatra havin' dinner with the Genovese

This is the genesis of a nemesis

Mother America's not witnessed since

The Harlem Renaissance birthed black businesses

This is the tale of lost innocence

As the incense burn and the turntables turn and that Al Green plays

I see my mother's afro as mama taps her toes as she rolls her Js

And my papa just left the house in search of the killer of my uncle Ray

And she's tryna calm my nerves as I observe

This is just one day

And what tomorrow has in store, we can never be sure

So all we can do is pray

[Verse 3]

Because of Your strength while I walked upon Thee

For God is my defense (Pray for me)

[Verse 4]

As I head to my homeroom, I observe the rooms

Dope needles on the ground

I hear a car go vroom, drug dealer in the BM

With the top down

As the girls start to giggle, I ask, "Why you laugh?"

They say, "You too little, one day you'll understand

(One day you'll understand)

When you become a man 'bout things you have to get to"

Fast forward, freeze frame, I'm a pistol

Fist full of dollars, ignorance is so blissful

I didn't choose this life, this life chose me

Around here is the shit that you just do

I just left school

The same BM is pulled over by the boys dressed blue

They have their guns drawn, screamin', "Just move"

Or here's to something else you suggest we can do

He made his way to the trunk, opened it like, huh?

A treasure chest was removed

Cop said he'll be back next month

What we call corrupt, he call payin' dues

Now when the rules is blurred, as they is and were

What am I to do but pray?

Pray the Lord forgive me

Pray God's be by what I'm 'bout to go through, pray

[Verse 5]

Deliver me in Thy righteousness

And cause me to escape

And climb Thine heir unto me

Save me, oh Lord (Pray for me)

[Verse 6]

Yeah, anywhere there's oppression

The drug profession flourishes like beverages

Refreshin', ah, sweet taste of sin

Everything I seen made me everything I am

Bad drug dealer or victim, I beg

What came first, movin' chickens or the egg?

This is why I be so fresh

I'm tryna beat life 'cause I can't cheat death

Treat shame with shamelessness

And stainlesses that aim this is

You know the game this is

Move coke like Pepsi, don't matter what the brand name is

I stand behind mine

Everything I do, I'm a man behind mine

I'm not an angel, I'm sure, but every night before I lay

I drop my knees to the floor and I pray

[Verse 7]

The name shall endure forever

The name shall be continued as long as the sun (Pray for me)

Men shall be blessed in Him

All nations shall call Him blessed

In Your name, I pray (Pray for me)

Lord, bless him

Written by: Alan Hawkshaw, Levar Coppin, Sean C., Shawn Carter

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