She was only fifteen, in love with bad R&B

She had to have vision 'cause she saw the star in me

Encouraged me to write about the drama in my life

To most I seemed strange, like something wasn't right

I used to fall a victim to those lunch room comedians

Something like an outcast, started smoking weed and then

I sorta fell into my own

Kinda felt at home when behind a microphone

But on the bus ride home

That didn't mean a thing

Harassed by the thugs, on the corners they would hang

I got banged on

I got beat down

Carrying a golf club, walking up the street now

They respect me

They call me crazy

At least I'm not getting punked out on the daily

And when I look back I wouldn't change a thing at all

Where you think I found the strength that I'm speakin' to y'all?

(I'll take everything) Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies

(Mmm-mmm-mmm) Your lies, your lies

(In this life, I'll join everyone) From the old and the wise to the young as they fly

They fly (Oh, when I die)

God is love then hatin' is Satan

Zen type patience got me sittin' here waitin'

On the day when it's okay to love

When black men won't pretend that they are thugs

When teachers and doctors are treated like celebrities

You can get a job even if you got a felony

Check out my melody

Lets live in harmony

We in this together, no man has autonomy

No man is an island, immune to the violence

This rap race is no place to raise a child in

What's wrong with smilin'?

What's wrong with peace?

What's wrong with squashin' beef before they label you deceased?

Swallow your pride before you choke on your issues

I know you got family and folks that'll miss you

So don't misuse this gift you've been given

This life's but a dream you are blessed to be livin'

(I'll take everything) Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies

(Mmm-mmm-mmm) Your lies, your lies

(In this life I'll join everyone) From the old and the wise to the young as they fly

They fly (Oh, when I die)

And basically man, I'm just a dude that tries to do right

You know, I try to make my tomorrows better than my yesterdays

Without hurting anyone else in the process

'Cause if you leave the world a better place than it was when you got here

Then we all win

Now, there's birth and there's death but the space in between

Is where the journey takes place and you give it all meaning

There's waiting on us all, there's no need to pretend

No freedom in the feeling when you're fearing the end

All good things come to it

Walk, don't run to it

Times you want to end it all yourself, don't do it

Be original

Be different

Be the one that stand up and shock this system

(I'll take everything) Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies

(Mmm-mmm-mmm) Your lies, your lies

(In this life I'll join everyone) From the old and the wise to the young as they fly

They fly (Oh, when I die)

(I'll take everything)

(Mmm-mmm-mmm)

(In this life I'll join everyone)

('Cause all men die)