Walk With Me
DMX Big Stan Lyrics

Sometimes I will take my brother by the arm
Sometimes I guide my brother with support and comfort.

Other times I will take my brother by the shoulder
At other times, I lead my brother with authority and guidance.

Then there are times I will take my brother by the neck
At times, I control my brother with force and strictness.

Any way I touch you, walk with me..
Despite my different methods of guidance, trust me and follow my lead.

This ain't the way it's supposed to be (B.S.!)
This is not how things should be, it's unacceptable.

This ain't the way it's supposed to be (off that bloodline thang)
This behavior is not appropriate for our family, we need to change it.

This ain't the way it's supposed to be!
This is not acceptable and must change.

This ain't the way, shit is supposed to be!!
This is not how things ought to be, it needs to change.

Now I done seen the streets turned into a beast with sharp teeth
I have seen how the streets can become incredibly dangerous and violent.

Put claws in the strong and just devour the weak
Strong individuals can take advantage of weaker ones, causing them harm.

Make them proud niggaz humble (uh-huh)
People who were once proud can be humbled by the difficult circumstances they experience.

Then turn around and make them loud niggaz mumble (uh-huh)
Individuals who were previously talkative may become quiet due to the setbacks they experience.

In the jungle I done seen niggaz voted "Most likely to win"
In difficult and competitive environments, people with high potential are often chosen to succeed.

Lose it all at the end of a stem; what a lame (uhh)
Despite their potential, people can lose everything due to addiction and other setbacks.

Friends killin friends for paper, what a shame (uhh)
It's a terrible and tragic reality when people kill each other for money.

And everybody thinkin they players, what a game (damn)
Many people assume they are successful, but in reality, their success may be an illusion.

I done seen this whole shit change
I've witnessed significant changes in our surroundings and circumstances.

Looked again and realized that ain't shit changed (WHAT?!)
Despite the apparent changes, some things have remained the same.

Except the fact that I'm a grown man now (uhh) standin on my own two
Despite the changes in the world around me, I've grown up and stand on my own two feet.

Used to hate guns, now a nigga own two (C'MON!)
I used to be against firearms, but now I possess two.

Twin glocks for cops and use I promise to
I have two guns for protection against police and will use them if necessary.

I ain't goin out like Amadou, you know what I'ma do (AIGHT?)
I refuse to go through the same fate as Amadou Diallo and will take drastic action to protect myself.

So sit back and try to visualize if you can
Take a moment to imagine what I'm describing in your mind.

All the stories of a wise man - walk with me
Follow me and learn from my experiences as a wise man.

Look at my life.. look at how I live
Take a closer look at my life and how I navigate the world.

Look at what I go through.. so what I've got to give (THIS IS IT!!)
Observe the struggles I've faced and what I have to offer.

Now I've done seen life play jokes with death as a punchline
I've witnessed how life can be cruel and take advantage of individuals through death.

In a world with no hope, struggle to get mine
Life can feel hopeless and challenging, making it difficult to attain one's goals.

I was raised in a time of regret and bad news (uh-huh)
During my upbringing, regret and negative circumstances were prominent.

So I was taught my values by bad dudes (uhh)
My values and morals were instilled in me by negative role models.

Hustlers and killers.. they taught me wrong from right
Individuals who engage in illegal activities taught me that wrong behavior was acceptable.

Told me everything that's wrong is right, like
I was taught that illegal and immoral actions were appropriate and acceptable.

Hopin' a train, poppin' the thing
I was taught that jumping onto a train and engaging in criminal activity was acceptable.

And havin' hot blocks poppin with 'caine, lockin' the game (Come on!)
I was taught that drug dealing and the violence that can come with it was a normal part of life.

And the more shit, change, the more it's the same
While things may appear to change, some negative aspects of life remain constant.

And the more you try to get rid of it, the more it remains
Despite attempts to eliminate negative elements, they often remain and persist.

You remember when the kid's dream to get to the top
Can you recall when children aimed to achieve their dreams?

Was bein' doctors, firemen, even the cops?
They aspired to become doctors, firefighters, and even police officers.

Look at the kids now, lost, no hope
Today's children feel lost and without hope.

To get ahead they plan to rap, play ball, or sell dope (ooooh)
To achieve success, some children focus on rapping, sports, or selling drugs.

And if you thinkin we the problem you wrong
If you believe my generation is the problem, you're mistaken.

A generation died at the same time our fathers was born
The previous generation died about the same time our fathers were born.

I've seen a broken home influence a good kid to go bad
Growing up in a broken home can negatively impact a person's behavior.

'Cause boys with sane minds to go mad (uhh)
Sanity can be compromised due to personal and societal circumstances.

And young girls to lose they innocence so fast
Young women can lose their innocence quickly due to negative influences.

And so often the results are so sad
The outcome of these negative experiences is often tragic and painful.

Losin' her skirt, don't even know what flirt means
Young women can be sexualized and lose their innocence at a young age without understanding the implications of their actions.

So a baby's poppin' up with a baby at thirteen (damn)
These negative experiences can result in teenage pregnancies and young mothers.

A few years, she tried to settle down with her man
Later, she may attempt to settle down with her partner.

Tried to stop fuckin' all them other niggas and can't
However, she may struggle to remain faithful to her partner and remain faithful.

Though she want to, the curse got her doin' this dirt
Despite her desire for a better life, her negative circumstances have influenced her actions.

'Cause she saw mommy do it whenever daddy went to work (damn)
Her mother's behavior has influenced her and she has come to accept it as normal.

And it hurts, I know the pain call it the truth
These experiences are painful and true, and my acknowledgement of them is painful.

Bad parents are destroyin' the youth, I been there (WHAT?!)
Poor parenting can have disastrous effects on youth, and I have personally experienced it.

I've watched men beat on my mother my whole life
I've seen my mother experience domestic violence throughout my life.

So when I hit my baby mother I thought it was alright (NO!!!)
I thought it was acceptable to hit my partner due to my experiences with domestic violence.

Maybe if I woke up and them niggas was gone
If the negative influences were removed, my behavior may have been different.

I would of knew that all the hittin' was wrong, talk to me
I would have realized that hitting was a wrong and unacceptable behavior.

My niggaz
My friends.

This, is, for my niggas
This message is for my friends.

This right here?! Is for my niggas
This specific message is directed at my friends.

B.S. baby! Uh-huh, uhh
This is a message from Big Stan.

Bloodline, bloodline, bloodline!
We come from the same family and share the same bloodline.

All my dogs, off the motherfucking chain!
All my friends are wild and out of control.

Arf, arf, arf, arf, arf-arf, ya heard?
This is a playful reference to dogs and loyalty among friends.

Bitch ass nigga (bitch ass nigga!)
An insult directed at someone who is perceived to be weak or submissive.

Iceberg, hoo, B.K.! Ali X! St. Claire! Jinx!
Various shoutouts and references to people and places.