Take Em to Church
Cam'ron Lyrics

Killa
Introducing Cam'ron as Killa

This that harlem music right here
Proudly representing Harlem

This that Diddy bop, get ready for the winner music
Confidently announcing that this is the music of winners

That's what it is
Emphasizing the point made in the previous two lines

Killa, Dip set
Continuing to assert his identity with the Dip Set crew

Uh, uh
Using interjections to further emphasize his point

You know me dog, I just want to keep the peace
Explaining that he prefers to avoid conflict

But saying my name, that's only gonna lead to beef
Warning others that calling him out will only cause trouble

Tell my niggas chill, but they want to heat the streets
Trying to calm down his crew, but they are eager to fight

Or do all the records, check it who spit beef to heat
Accusing others of using beef to increase their notoriety

Everybody welcoming this, welcoming that
Noticing that people are welcoming others without considering past grievances

He wasn't welcome in the first place, how we welcome him back?
Raising concerns about welcoming back someone who was not welcome before

Give me the mac, let me welcome with that
Asking for a weapon to use for a violent welcome

Tell Mr. Rogers, I leave his brains on the trolley track
Threatening Mr. Rogers with violence

Now prolly that
Casually stating that violent actions will occur

Listen, ya'll stop it (stop)know you appalled dotted
Addressing listeners, telling them to stop acting surprised or judgmental

But this my call by the force prophet, all profit all profit)
Claiming that his actions are predestined and profitable

Harlem hustler (yep), I can't at all knock it (nope)
Acknowledging Harlem's culture of hustling, but not endorsing it

But you hard, when you go in the floor, pop dance?
Questioning those who act tough, but then dance in a non-threatening way

What you offering, put it, write an offer in
Asking for a clear proposal

They take it all, cash, credit, silver, down to porcelain
Asserting that he can accept payment in any form - even porcelain

Look at the Porsche he's in (look at it)
Noticing someone's expensive car

Then give them portioning (to who)
Pondering who to distribute the spoils to

No handicap, Annie rag, orphan friends
Boasting about being self-sufficient with no handicaps, but also referencing his poverty-stricken friends

Friends, but the sizzurp I'm drinking on
Acknowledging that he's still drinking codeine, despite his wealth

Birds I'm thinking on get your Kirk Franklin on
Thinking about making money, like gospel musician Kirk Franklin

Word, so you get your Ben Franklin on
Agreeing with someone who also wants to make money

Just when you think it's wrong
But then he surprises the listener

One blink, he's gone (damn)
Implying that he moves quickly with his criminal pursuits

[Chorus]
The chorus begins - discussing the need for forgiveness and a spiritual solution

Father forgive us
Calling out to God for forgiveness

We gon take him to church
Suggesting that the solution to violence is going to church

And it's the truth it hurts
Acknowledging that the truth can be painful

And that won't work
Realizing that other methods have failed

No, no, no, no, no way
Emphasizing that a change is necessary

Yo, you try to handle us, get on the air and damage us
Accusing others of trying to discredit him on the radio

Screaming out Harlem (huh)
Noticing that others are trying to act like they are from Harlem

like you ain't just a fan to us (where you been at)
Calling out those who have not been part of the Harlem community

Well let me fill you in, now it's a whole clan of us
Telling outsiders that they are now surrounded by a larger community

Blink so mad, he went and beat up cannabis
Recalling a past violence between members of the rap community

Zeke got shot then Zeke locked up (then)
Referencing the imprisonment of a friend

E got killed (what else) be popped up
Announcing the murder of another friend

But be hopped up and still broke out his chest
Praising his friend's bravery, despite his death

On probation, doe on house arrest (what up doe)
Acknowledging the struggles of those on probation with limited freedom

Right out the flesh sit in a house and rest
Reflecting on the fact that death brings rest and peace

He don't pout, get him gear, in the house he fresh (fresh)
Revealing that even in death, his friend still tries to look good

Not that you care, just getting clear and think
Admitting that his listeners may not care about what he's saying, but he still speaks his mind

One glare and wink everyone wearing pink
Claiming that his influence can change the fashion choices of others

I'm the reason that your two rings are clear (yeah, what else)
Boasting about his role in making diamond rings more popular

I'm the reason that your ear rings is square yeah, hear)
Asserting that he also influenced the shape of earrings

Now we take trips to casinos, to lovely homes
Celebrating his newfound wealth and luxury

You check on Lotti's mom, minos, honeycombs (homes)
Reminding others that despite his wealth, he does not forget about his roots

You trying to fake it with card em, pardon
Accusing someone of pretending to be wealthy

You gonna leave them naked like Tarzan
Threatening to take someone's possessions and leave them with nothing

Kudo love know that too
Acknowledging that Kudo also understands this mentality

Holler at Kudo, ask Nelly about him
Further referencing Kudo and the respect he commands from others

Yo, yo, I kill diamonds, get with pearls
Boasting about his ability to make anything popular

I ain't trying kid the world
Admitting that he's not perfect, even though he boasts sometimes

I ain't got beef, when I do, I say get 'em girls
Asserting that he only fights when necessary

Not a diss dog (nope) we just heard the fronting (heard it)
Explaning that he is not insulting someone, just calling out their lies

Do Harlem a favor (what) get a church or something (something)
Suggesting that building a church could benefit the community

A rec center in the winter where the youth can play
Proposing building a recreational center for children

They don't even shoot the jay sell drugs, shoot and spray
Highlighting the youth's attraction to violence and drug culture

I'm known better, still moving deuce a day
Revealing that he still sells drugs, even though he knows better

Two, that's two keys, I still move the yeah (ya,yo)
Bringing attention to his drug dealing boast

Found a newer way, my crew do and say
Claiming that he will find new, innovative ways to stay ahead in the game

Fist fights to shoot outs, we won't move away
Asserting that his crew will not back down from a fight

All my niggas that held it down the last half a decade
Shouting out to his friends and crew who have been loyal for the past five years

My nigga gruff, bad 140th, 139th
Shouting out his friend Gruff and naming the streets he resides on

Black tone, white tone, 142nd Rell street
Naming the area where his friends live

And 141st, Tito, my Jamaicans, my Belgians
Naming more of his friends and their ethnicities

33 33 polo grounds, st.nick colonial jurist
Naming more streets where his friends reside

Lincoln, tab, Forster, Johnson, Jeff Wagner
Naming even more streets where his friends and crew reside

Wilson, east river, the 9, 145th street Nick, 145th Broadway
A laundry list of streets and areas where his friends and crew live

Lukas, Taliban, 135th, 118th, Manhattan
Listing even more areas where his friends and crew live

134th and 8th, powerful what's really popping
Bringing attention to a particular street and its activity

Sarge hold your head, freaky seeky hold your head
Shouting out to more friends and wishing them good luck

The O.B.B.O., 151st Amsterdam holla at your boy
Naming another crew and their location

A.K. Jackie Rob, all my niggas in Harlem
Shouting out to even more friends and crew in Harlem

Get your hustle on keep your muzzle strong
Encouraging others to work hard and be strong

I know about the block
Final words of experience and knowledge about the community