The Believer
Common Lyrics


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I believe in the light that shines and will never die
Oh, I believe the fire burns, we stay alive
They will talk about us
Like they talked about the kings before us
They will talk about us

These are the words of a believer
Achiever, leader of the globe
Feeding souls of those in need
I bleed the blood of the struggle
Walking over troubled puddles
Hustles in my chest, no hustle no progress
Extremities of life and it's process
Birth of a son, death of another
With love I can rest both mothers
And told 'em, who's in control is the one that's above us
I walk where money talks and love stutters
Body language of a nation going through changes
The young become dangerous, pain gets spent into anger
Anger gets sent through the chamber
It's tough when your own look like strangers
We are the sons of gangsters and stone rangers
If he could how would Ernie Barnes paint us?
Look at the picture, hard not to blame us
But time forgives in the Chi where the young die often
Do they end up in a coffin because we haven't taught them?
Is it what we talking we really ain't walking?
Dudes, hustlers pay, how much did it cost 'em?
Find myself on the same corner that we lost 'em
Real talking, in they ear like a Walkman
Thoughts spin around the corner to the world
When I see them, I see my baby girl
Believe

I believe in the light that shines and will never die
Oh, I believe the fire burns, we stay alive
They will talk about us
Like they talked about the kings before us
They will talk about us

The Lord lives among us
The youngest hunger become a means to get it
By any ways necessary, under pressure
Children feeling lesser, with the steel up on the dresser
Killin' will aggressors, destiny's children
Survivors, soldiers, in front of buildings they eyes look older
Hard to see blessings in the violent culture
Face against weapons, sirens, holsters
That ain't the way that Langston Hughes wrote us
Soul controllers on the shoulders of Moses and Noah
We go from being Precious to Oprah
Cultivated to overcome ever since we came overseas
Today and the way that you can see we determined
Solar keeps burning, shawty's know to keep learning
Lesson's in our life, but life stripes that we earning
Took gramps' advice that Christ is returning
Like a thief in the night, I write the beacons of light
For those of us in dark alleys and parched valleys
Street kids spark rallies of the conscience conquerors of a contest
That seems beyond us, even through the unseen
I know that God watches
From one King's dream, he was able to Barack us
The prophets, nothing can stop us
Believe

I believe in the light that shines and will never die
Oh, I believe the fire burns, we stay alive
They will talk about us
Like they talked about the kings before us
They will talk about us
I know, I know, I know our dreams won't turn to dust
They will talk about us
I know, I know, I know our dreams won't turn to dust
They will talk about us




I know, I know, I know our dreams won't turn to dust
They will talk about us

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Common's song "The Believer" convey a sense of strength, resilience, and hopefulness in the face of adversity. The rapper talks about his belief in the light that shines and will never die, as well as the fire that burns to keep us alive. He acknowledges that people will talk about us, just as they have talked about the kings before us. Common sees himself as a believer, an achiever, and a leader of the globe. He feeds souls of those in need and bleeds the blood of the struggle. He has hustles in his chest, which means that he works hard to keep progressing in life, even in the face of difficulties. Common acknowledges that life has its extremities and it's a process. He has experienced both the birth of a son and the death of another. He offers love to both mothers and reminds them that the one who is in control is the one that's above us.


Common's lyrics also delve into the challenges that are faced by his community. He talks about the body language of a nation that is going through changes. The young become dangerous, pain gets spent into anger, and anger gets sent through the chamber. Common acknowledges that it's tough when your own look like strangers. He recognizes that they are the sons of gangsters and stone rangers. He asks how Ernie Barnes would paint them and wonders if time forgives in the Chi where the young die often. Common encourages the community to teach the younger generation because it's tough when they end up in a coffin. He asks if what they are talking about is what they are really walking. He acknowledges that hustlers pay, but how much did it cost them? Finally, Common touches on his belief that despite the challenges, their dreams won't turn to dust. They will talk about us, he says.


Overall, "The Believer" is a song that speaks to the struggles and challenges faced by its community. It acknowledges the pain and the difficulties, but it also offers hope and a sense of resilience. It encourages its listeners not to give up on their dreams and to keep moving forward despite the challenges they face.


Line by Line Meaning

I believe in the light that shines and will never die
I have faith in the everlasting power of hope and positivity.


Oh, I believe the fire burns, we stay alive
Even in the darkest moments, the human spirit will always persevere.


They will talk about us Like they talked about the kings before us They will talk about us
Our actions and legacy will be remembered and spoken about, just as those who came before us.


These are the words of a believer
My thoughts and words stem from a deep sense of faith and conviction.


Achiever, leader of the globe
I am determined to succeed and make a positive impact on the world.


Feeding souls of those in need
I aim to provide nourishment, sustenance and support to those who require it most.


I bleed the blood of the struggle
I am intimately connected with the hardships and difficulties of those who struggle.


Walking over troubled puddles
I am able to navigate obstacles and challenges with ease and grace.


Hustles in my chest, no hustle no progress
I am driven and ambitious, and understand that hard work is necessary for growth and success.


Extremities of life and it's process
I recognize that life is full of ups and downs, and that growth often comes from challenging experiences.


Birth of a son, death of another
I have experienced both the joys of new life and the pain of loss.


With love I can rest both mothers
I am able to offer comfort and support to those grieving and in need of it.


And told 'em, who's in control is the one that's above us
I remind others that a higher power is always present and in control of our lives.


I walk where money talks and love stutters
I navigate a world where material possessions and money often hold more power than love and compassion.


Body language of a nation going through changes
I observe the nonverbal cues and signals of a country undergoing transformation and evolution.


The young become dangerous, pain gets spent into anger
Young people who are hurting and frustrated can often turn to destructive behavior and violence.


Anger gets sent through the chamber
This anger can be escalated and amplified through the media and other outlets, resulting in a cycle of violence and aggression.


It's tough when your own look like strangers
It can be difficult to recognize or understand those who are closest to us when they are struggling or in pain.


We are the sons of gangsters and stone rangers
Many of us come from communities and families where gang violence and criminal behavior are prevalent.


If he could how would Ernie Barnes paint us?
If the artist Ernie Barnes were alive today, how would he depict us in this current climate of violence and unrest?


Look at the picture, hard not to blame us
It is difficult to view the current situation without questioning our own culpability and responsibility.


But time forgives in the Chi where the young die often
Over time, even the most heinous crimes and tragedies can fade from memory in a city where violence is commonplace.


Do they end up in a coffin because we haven't taught them?
Are young people dying because we have failed to instill in them the values and skills necessary for navigating a world filled with danger and uncertainty?


Is it what we talking we really ain't walking?
Are our words and actions aligned, or are we simply paying lip service to lofty ideals without following through on them?


Dudes, hustlers pay, how much did it cost 'em?
Men who engage in criminal activity often pay a high price, either through imprisonment or physical harm.


Find myself on the same corner that we lost 'em
I am reminded of those we have lost to violence in the same places where their lives ended.


Real talking, in they ear like a Walkman
I speak with candor and honesty, whispering my message into the ears of those who most need to hear it.


Thoughts spin around the corner to the world
I contemplate the vastness of the world and the interconnectedness of our experiences.


When I see them, I see my baby girl
When I look at those who are suffering and struggling, I see my own child and feel a deep sense of empathy and compassion.


The Lord lives among us
I believe that a divine presence is present and active in our lives.


The youngest hunger become a means to get it
Those who are the most vulnerable and marginalized often resort to extreme measures in order to obtain basic necessities like food and shelter.


By any ways necessary, under pressure
When faced with extreme hardship and adversity, people will do whatever it takes to survive.


Children feeling lesser, with the steel up on the dresser
Children who are exposed to violence and hardship often feel inadequate and powerless, and may even resort to weapons for protection.


Killin' will aggressors, destiny's children Survivors, soldiers, in front of buildings they eyes look older
Those who are forced to confront and resist violence are often imbued with a sense of purpose and determination, but the experience ages and wears them down.


Hard to see blessings in the violent culture
In a society that is marred by violence and destruction, it can be difficult to recognize the good and positive elements that exist.


Face against weapons, sirens, holsters
People are forced to confront and resist danger and violence on a daily basis.


That ain't the way that Langston Hughes wrote us
The famous writer Langston Hughes depicted a more hopeful and optimistic vision of African American life and culture than what is often experienced today.


Soul controllers on the shoulders of Moses and Noah
We carry a heavy burden of responsibility, just as leaders like Moses and Noah did in biblical times.


We go from being Precious to Oprah Cultivated to overcome ever since we came overseas
We have the ability to transcend our circumstances and limitations and achieve greatness, a journey that has been ongoing for generations.


Today and the way that you can see we determined
We are a determined people who will stop at nothing to achieve our goals and overcome adversity.


Solar keeps burning, shawty's know to keep learning
The sun keeps shining, and we must continue to learn and grow in order to survive and thrive.


Lesson's in our life, but life stripes that we earning
We are constantly learning from the challenges and hardships we face, and these experiences shape us and give us valuable perspective and wisdom.


Took gramps' advice that Christ is returning
We hold onto hope and faith, passed down to us from our older generations, that a brighter future and salvation are possible.


Like a thief in the night, I write the beacons of light
I seek to generate hope and inspiration through my words, shining a light in the darkness.


For those of us in dark alleys and parched valleys
I hope to uplift and inspire those who are struggling and experiencing the worst of life's challenges and obstacles.


Street kids spark rallies of the conscience conquerors of a contest
Even those who are often dismissed or ignored in society have the power to inspire and motivate change.


That seems beyond us, even through the unseen
We have the ability to accomplish great things, even if they seem impossible or difficult to attain.


I know that God watches
No matter what, we have faith that a higher power is watching over us and guiding us.


From one King's dream, he was able to Barack us
One person's vision and ideals have the power to transform and inspire an entire nation.


The prophets, nothing can stop us
We are guided and inspired by the words and teachings of prophets and wise leaders, and nothing can derail our progress and growth.


I know, I know, I know our dreams won't turn to dust
We have faith and determination that our aspirations and goals will come to fruition.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Stephens, Will Adams, John Legend

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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