Lord Knows
2Pac Lyrics

Damn, another funeral, another motherfucker
Yet another funeral for someone lost to violence and tragedy.

Lord knows (ooh)
Acknowledging that only God truly knows the extent of the struggles faced by those living in poverty and violence.

Lord knows (aah)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis of the point.

Lord knows
Continuing to reflect on the powerlessness and despair faced by those living in the ghetto.

I smoke a blunt to take the pain out
Using drugs to numb the pain and trauma caused by living in a hopeless environment.

And if I wasn't high, I'd probably try to blow my brains out
Acknowledging that without the escape of drugs, life in the ghetto would be unbearable, leading to thoughts of suicide.

I'm hopeless, they shoulda killed me as a baby
Feeling like life has no purpose or hope, and that it would have been better to never have been born in the first place.

And now they got me trapped in the storm, I'm goin' crazy
Feeling trapped and helpless in the midst of constant violence and struggle, which is causing a descent into madness and despair.

Forgive me, they wanna see me in my casket
Asking for forgiveness for the things that have to be done to survive in the ghetto, where violence and death are constant threats.

And if I don't blast I'll be the victim of them bastards
Knowing that if he doesn't fight back and protect himself, he will become another victim of the violence in the streets.

I'm loosin' hope, they got me stressin', can the Lord forgive me?
Feeling like there is no hope left and that even God might not be able to forgive the sins committed in the name of survival.

Got the spirit of a thug in me
Being forced to adopt a violent and criminal lifestyle in order to survive in the harsh ghetto environment.

Another sip of that drink, this Hennessy got me queasy
Drinking to cope with the stress and trauma of living in the ghetto, even though it makes him sick.

Don't wanna hurl, young nigga take it easy
Reminding oneself not to overdo it with the alcohol and drugs, despite the overwhelming psychological pain.

Picture your dreams on a triple beam, and it seems
Encouraging listeners to focus on their dreams and aspirations, no matter how unlikely or difficult the journey may seem.

Don't underestimate the power of a fiend
Warning against the danger of drug addiction, which can be as powerful and destructive as any other force in the ghetto.

To my homies on the block
Sending a message of solidarity and support to others facing the same struggles on the streets.

Slangin' rocks with your Glocks, put this tape in your box
Encouraging drug dealers and criminals to listen to the music and take inspiration from it, while also acknowledging the danger and violence they face on a daily basis.

When you're runnin' from the cops, and never look back
Urging listeners to be careful and to never give up, even when being pursued by the police or other authorities.

If they could be black, then they would switch
Pointing out the systemic racism and bias faced by people of color in society, which leads to unfair treatment and violence.

Open fire on them busta-ass bitches, and Lord knows
Using violent imagery to express the deep anger and frustration caused by systemic racism and oppression.

(Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows)
Repeating the phrase to emphasize that only God knows the full extent of the struggles faced by those living in the ghetto.

I wonder if the Lord will forgive me or bury me a G
Reflecting on the idea that the harsh and violent lifestyle of the ghetto might lead to a premature and violent death, and questioning whether God will be able to forgive the sins committed to survive.

I couldn't let my adversaries worry me
Refusing to be intimidated or defeated by those who seek to harm or oppress him.

And every single day it's a test, wear a bulletproof vest
Acknowledging that life in the ghetto is a constant battle for survival, and that even basic safety requires taking extreme precautions.

And still a nigga stressin' over death
Despite his best efforts, the constant threat of violence and death takes a heavy psychological toll.

If I could choose when a nigga die, figure I'd
Reflecting on the idea that it would be better to have some control over the circumstances of one's own death, rather than living in constant fear and uncertainty.

Take a puff on the blunt, and let my trigger fly
Indicating that smoking weed might provide a momentary escape, but ultimately it is violence that provides a sense of control and power in the difficult ghetto environment.

When everyday it's another death, with every breath
Lamenting the fact that death and violence are constant realities in the ghetto, making it difficult to find any sense of peace or hope.

It's a constant threat, so watch yo' step
Urging listeners to be vigilant and cautious in the face of constant danger and violence.

You could be next if you want to, who do you run to?
Warning that no one is safe in the ghetto, and that survival requires constant vigilance and the ability to fight back against danger and violence.

Murderin' niggas, look what it's come to
Expressing a sense of outrage and frustration at the violence and murder that have become commonplace in the ghetto, and the societal systems that perpetuate it.

My memories bring me misery, and life is hard
Reflecting on the pain and trauma caused by growing up in the ghetto, and the ongoing difficulties of surviving in such a harsh environment.

In the ghetto, it's insanity, I can't breath
Describing the ghetto as a place of complete chaos and instability, where the stress and trauma of daily life can be overwhelming - like not being able to breathe.

Got me thinkin', what do hell got?
Wondering if the harsh environment of the ghetto is comparable to the very concept of hell.

'Cause I done suffered so much, I'm feelin' shell-shocked
Feeling like the constant traumas of life in the ghetto have caused lasting mental harm, like the symptoms of shell shock from wartime violence.

And driveby's an everyday thang
Describing the frequency and normalcy of gun violence, including drive-by shootings, in the ghetto.

I done lost too many homies to this motherfuckin' game
Lamenting the fact that so many friends and acquaintances have died as a result of the violence and drug-dealing lifestyle of the ghetto.

And Lord knows
Repeating the earlier refrain, indicating that no one but God truly understands the struggles faced by those living in the ghetto.

(Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows)
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the message of the song.

One time, one time
Addressing the police, who are often seen as the enemy in the violent world of the ghetto.

Fuck the five-oh 'cause they after me
Expressing anger and frustration at the way the police are constantly targeting and harassing those living in the ghetto.

Kill me if they could, I'll never let 'em capture me
Refusing to give up or be defeated by the police or other authorities, even if it means risking one's own life.

Done lost too many niggas to this gang-bangin'
Reflecting on the senseless violence and murder that are so common in the ghetto, often driven by gang rivalries and drug dealing.

Homies died in my arms, with his brains hangin', fucked up
Describing the traumatic experience of being present at the death of a friend, and the horrific violence that often characterizes it.

I had to tell him it was alright, and that's a lie
Reflecting the painful reality of trying to console someone who is dying, while knowing that the situation is anything but alright.

And he knew it when he shook and died, my God
Describing the final moments of a friend's life, and the helpless and tragic nature of his passing.

Even though I know I'm wrong, man
Acknowledging that the gang and drug lifestyle is wrong and often leads to destruction and death, but feeling trapped and unable to escape it.

Hennessey make a nigga think he strong, man (ha ha)
Jokingly acknowledging the way that alcohol can make a person feel more confident or powerful, even if it's just an illusion.

I can't sleep, so I stay up, don't wanna fuck them bitches
Describing the insomnia and hopelessness caused by the trauma of life in the ghetto, and expressing a sense of detachment and disillusionment with sexual relationships.

Try to calm me down, I ain't givin' up
Refusing to give up or be defeated by the brutal realities of life in the ghetto, no matter how difficult it may be.

I'm gettin' lost in the weed, man, gettin' high
Using marijuana as a form of escapism from the harsh and difficult realities of ghetto life.

Livin' ever'day, like I'm gon' die (gon' die, gon' die)
Acknowledging the pervasive sense of mortality and danger in the ghetto, and the way it shapes one's outlook on life.

I smoke a blunt to take the pain out, and if I wasn't high
Repeating the earlier refrain, indicating the central role that drugs play in coping with the trauma and pain of life in the ghetto.

Probably try to blow my brains out
Reflecting on the despair and hopelessness that can lead to suicidal thoughts in the difficult environment of the ghetto.

Lord knows
Repeating the final refrain, emphasizing the theme of the song and the hopelessness of those living in poverty and violence.