Child of God
Chance the Rapper Lyrics

Ah
This is an exclamation to start the song

Just do your thing, child
This line is repeated throughout the song as a reminder to the listener to be themselves, follow their dreams, and not worry about what others think

Truth be told, I got the ball on a string
The singer is in control and has the ability to handle the situation

Carried the weight of the world
The artist has been through a lot and has to deal with a lot of pressure and responsibility

But it came with some handles
The artist has found a way to manage the stress and handle the challenges

I drag it to the basket
The singer is able to move forward despite the difficulties

Moses with the passage
The singer is like Moses, helping people to find their way

Safely Lord God, please make an example
The artist is asking for protection and guidance in order to lead by example

I try to break shackles
The artist is trying to free themselves and others from limitations

Now they ankles in shambles
The artist has been successful in breaking some of the constraints, but it has left others struggling

I can't expect them to be grateful and thankful
The singer realizes that not everyone will appreciate their efforts or understand their struggles

They thought I had a manual like Hansel
The artist is expected to have all the answers and solutions, like the character Hansel in the fairytale Hansel and Gretel

Leave your plans in man's hands and it gets manhandled
When we trust other people to take care of our plans, often things don't go as we had hoped

Dancin' in the street, but I didn't panhandle
The singer is enjoying life and celebrating their successes

When I finally drop, make a pamphlet
When the singer achieves their goals, they want to share their knowledge and success with others by creating a pamphlet

Sell tickets, put that shit on FanDuel
The artist wants to monetize their success and potentially use platforms like FanDuel to do so

OnlyFans and Fandango
The artist is referencing popular social media platform OnlyFans and movie ticket site Fandango

Give me your ear like Van Gogh and it's candlewick
The singer wants the listener's full attention, like the way people admire the works of Vincent Van Gogh

I mean, I mean, it's lit like a candlestick
The singer is excited and proud of their success

When I'm fatigued like a camo fit
Sometimes the artist gets tired or worn out like when wearing camouflage clothing for an extended period of time

A rich man, the size of the needle that the camel fits
The artist is referencing the biblical story of a rich man who has a better chance of fitting through the eye of a needle than getting into heaven

Walkin' to Jesus with my sandals wet
The artist is walking in faith, even in difficult times

This world would make you second guess your first mind
Society often tries to influence us away from our true desires and instincts

Remember when it was your first day, the first time?
The artist is asking the listener to remember when they were first starting out and to keep that same level of ambition

It couldn't have come at a worse place or worse time
Starting out is often difficult and can come with many challenges

And you remember that little voice with that rehearsed line
The singer is referencing the voice in our heads that encourages us to keep going, even when things are tough

Just repeatin', do your thing, child (do your thing, child)
The singer is encouraging the listener to stay true to themselves and follow their passions

At every corner store, bodega, delicatessen
The artist is highlighting the prevalence of difficult living conditions and challenges faced by many people

Stands a big head kid learning delicate lessons
The children in these communities are learning and growing despite the adversity they face

Roasted for they clothes, or they emotions or they roaches
Children in these communities are often targeted and ridiculed for things out of their control, such as clothing, emotions, or pests in their homes

Bullied by they friends, or they mamas, or they coaches
Even those who are supposed to support and care for these children sometimes bully or mistreat them

Half size, chastised, dolls with glass eyes
The children in these communities are often belittled and criticized for their physical appearance

Talked down, tossed down, the world just pass by
The world often ignores and overlooks the struggles of these communities

Grow up to be saviors, surgeons, rabbis
Despite these challenges, many children from these communities grow up to be successful and make positive contributions to society

The world should've capsized when God got baptized
The world should have been shaken or changed when God took on human form through baptism

The boat don't sink, the show don't stop
Despite adversity, the artist is determined to keep moving forward

The weapons form, the load don't drop
Even when others come at the singer with negative intent or aggression, they are not deterred

The boat gon' rock, the foe's gon' plot
The singer knows that there will always be challenges and adversaries, but they are prepared for them

The rolls don't switch, the photo crop
Despite external changes or manipulations, the singer remains true to themselves

The motto is 'the more those hate, the more doors prop open'
The artist believes that when others hate or reject them, it only leads to greater success and opportunity

The prince of Heaven was tempted
The artist is referencing the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil

Told that He wasn't who He was, and they meant it
The devil tried to convince Jesus that He was not actually the Son of God

Never was there a path better cemented
Despite the temptations, Jesus stayed true to Himself and His path

So what they gon' say when you at the Olympics or tryna attempt?
The artist is asking what others will say when they see the listener achieving great things

Do your thing child, do your thing
The artist is once again encouraging the listener to stay true to themselves and follow their passions

Child of God
The artist is reminding the listener of their divinity and their connection to a higher power