Letter To My Son
Akon Lyrics

I had to do bad, so you can do better
I made mistakes and went through difficult times so that you can learn from them and have a better life.

I was locked in the pen when I wrote you this letter
I was in prison when I wrote this letter to you.

But you was way too young to understand, or even know better
But you were too young to comprehend or have a better understanding.

It's time that I tell you who I am, so I can protect you
It's important for me to reveal my true self to you, so I can safeguard and guide you.

'Cause a bad role model is something I can't afford to be (to you)
Being a negative influence is not something I can afford to be for you.

'Cause only me and God knows what I did just to eat
Only God and I know the extreme measures I took just to have food to survive.

I steal for you, I deal for you
I engaged in illegal activities such as theft and drug dealing for your sake.

That's what I did for you
Those actions were solely done to benefit and provide for you.

To get a meal for you
I resorted to these actions to ensure you had enough to eat.

Nearly died for you
I put my life at great risk for your well-being.

Did the time for you
I served a prison sentence on your behalf.

I survived for you
I endured hardships and survived solely for your sake.

To provide for you
Everything I did was to be able to support and provide for you.

All this for you
All of these actions were done with your benefit in mind.

Did this for you
Every decision and choice I made was for your sake.

All that I do
Everything I do

I do for you
I do it all for you.

So you don't have to
So that you won't have to go through the same hardships or make the same mistakes.

Made a couple trips home
I made multiple journeys back home.

Had a couple bricks on me
I carried illegal drugs with me.

And always kept a stick on me
I always carried a weapon with me for protection.

Can't let 'em make a victim of me
I refuse to let others take advantage of me.

Risk my life for you
I put my life in danger for your sake.

Dodging blue lights for you
I avoided getting caught by the police for your sake.

Working overnight for you
I worked overnight to provide for you.

So you're growing up to be just like me
So that you will grow up to resemble me.

Did it so you don't have to
I went through all of this so that you won't have to experience the same hardships.

Did it all so that you never have to (oh, no, no, no)
Everything I did was to ensure you never have to face such circumstances.

Did it so you don't have to (don't do it)
I endured everything so that you don't have to go through it.

Did it all so that you never have to (oh, no, no, no)
I went through it all so that you can have a better life without those struggles.

Did it so you don't have to (I did it)
I went through it all on your behalf.

Did it all so that you never have to (oh, no, no, no)
Everything I did was to protect you from experiencing the same difficulties and struggles.

Did it so you don't have to (don't do it)
I went through it all so that you won't have to make the same mistakes.

Did it all so that you never have to
I endured everything so that you don't have to face them.

I steal for you, I deal for you
I engaged in illegal activities like theft and drug dealing to provide for you.

That's what I did for you
Those actions were solely done for your benefit.

To get a meal for you
I resorted to those actions to ensure you had enough to eat.

Nearly died for you
I put my life in great danger for your sake.

Did the time for you
I served a prison sentence for your well-being.

I survived for you
I endured and made it through tough times for your sake.

To provide for you
Everything I did was to provide and support you.

All this for you
All of it was done for your sake and benefit.

Did this for you
Every action and decision I made was for your sake.

All that I do
Everything I do

I do for you
I do it all for you.

So you don't have to
So that you won't have to go through the same hardships or make the same mistakes.