Like Toy Soldiers
Eminem Lyrics

Step by step, heart to heart, left, right, left
Slowly and with emotional connection, we move forward in unity

We all fall down
Ultimately, we all face defeat and challenges

Step by step, heart to heart, left, right, left
Continuing to move forward together, despite setbacks

We all fall down like toy soldiers
Just like toy soldiers, we are easily damaged and broken

Bit by bit, torn apart
Gradually, we are destroyed and separated

We never win, but the battle wages on for toy soldiers
Despite never achieving victory, the fight continues for those who are vulnerable

I'm supposed to be the soldier who never blows his composure
I am expected to maintain control and composure in difficult situations

Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders
Despite feeling immense pressure and responsibility

I ain't never suppose to show it, my crew ain't suppose to know it
I should never display my vulnerability or let my team see it

Even if it means going toe to toe with a Benzino, it don't matter
Even if it means facing a challenging opponent like Benzino, it doesn't bother me

I never drag 'em in battles that I can't handle, 'less I absolutely have to
I only involve them in fights I can handle, unless it becomes necessary

I'm suppose to set an example, I need to be the leader
I am expected to be a role model and guide for my crew

My crew looks for me to guide 'em
My team relies on me for direction and guidance

If some shit ever does pop off I'm suppose to be beside 'em
If a conflict arises, I should be there standing with them

That Ja shit, I tried to squashed it, it was too late to stop it
I attempted to resolve the issues with Ja Rule, but it was too late to prevent its escalation

There's a certain line you just don't cross, and he crossed it
Ja Rule crossed a line that should never have been crossed

I heard him say Hailie's name on a song and I just lost it
When he mentioned my daughter's name in a song, I became enraged

It was crazy, this shit went way beyond some JAY-Z and Nas shit
The situation was intense and went beyond the level of feuds between JAY-Z and Nas

And even though the battle was won, I feel like we lost it
Despite winning the battle, it feels like a loss due to the emotional toll it took

I spent so much energy on it, honestly, I'm exhausted
I exerted a tremendous amount of energy and now I'm physically and emotionally drained

And I'm so caught in it, I almost feel I'm the one who caused it
I am so entangled in the conflict that I question if I'm responsible for starting it

This ain't what I'm in hip-hop for, it's not why I got in it
I didn't enter hip-hop for these kind of conflicts and drama

That was never my object, for someone to get killed
My intention was never for someone to lose their life

Why would I wanna destroy somethin' I helped build?
I have no desire to ruin something I contributed to creating

It wasn't my intentions, my intentions were good
My intentions were pure and positive

I went through my whole career with out ever mentionin'
Throughout my entire career, I avoided mentioning

And that was just outta respect, for not runnin' my mouth
It was a way of showing respect by not spreading gossip or speaking recklessly

And talkin' about somethin' that I knew nothin' about
Avoiding discussing something I had no firsthand knowledge of

Plus Dre told me stay out, this just wasn't my beef
Dr. Dre advised me to stay away from the situation, as it didn't concern me

So I did, I just fell back, watched and gritted my teeth
I followed his advice, took a step back, observed, and clenched my teeth in frustration

While he's all over TV, down-talkin' the man
Meanwhile, Ja Rule is appearing on television, badmouthing another artist

Who literally saved my life, like fuck it, I understand
The artist who actually saved my life, but I understand how business works

This is business, and this shit just isn't none of my business
It's a matter of business, and it doesn't concern me directly

But still knowin' this shit could pop off at any minute 'cause
Despite that, I am aware that the situation could escalate at any moment

There used to be a time when you could just say a rhyme
There was a time when expressing oneself through rap was simpler

And wouldn't have to worry about one of your people dyin'
Where you didn't have to fear for the safety of your loved ones

But now it's elevated, 'cause once you put someone's kids in it
Now, it has escalated because when you involve someone's children

The shit gets escalated, it ain't just words no more, is it?
The situation becomes more intense, it goes beyond mere words

It's a different ball game, you call names and you ain't just rappin'
It becomes a different level of conflict, where insults have real consequences

We actually tried to stop the 50 and Ja beef from happenin'
We genuinely attempted to prevent the beef between 50 Cent and Ja Rule from occurring

Me and Dre had sat with him, kicked it and had a chat with him
Dr. Dre and I personally met and had a conversation with Ja Rule

And asked him not to start it, he wasn't gonna go after him
We requested that he refrain from initiating the conflict, and he agreed not to target 50 Cent

Until Ja started yappin' in magazines how he stabbed him
However, Ja Rule began boasting in magazines about stabbing 50 Cent

Fuck it, 50, smash him, mash on him, let him have it
At that point, 50 Cent decided to retaliate aggressively and fiercely

Meanwhile my attention's pulled in another direction
Simultaneously, my focus and energy are diverted elsewhere

Some receptionist at The Source who answers phones at his desk
A person working as a receptionist at The Source magazine

Has an erection for me and thinks that I'll be his resurrection
This person is infatuated with me and believes I can revive their career

Tries to blow the dust of his mic and make a new record
They attempt to revive their fame by releasing new music

But now he's fucked the game up 'cause one of the ways I came up
However, their actions have caused damage to the industry that played a role in my success

Was through that publication, the same one that made me famous
The Source magazine played a significant role in my rise to fame

Now the owner of it has got a grudge against me for nothin'
The owner of the magazine now holds a sense of animosity towards me without any valid reason

Well, fuck it, that motherfucker can get it too, fuck him then
In that case, I don't care, I will target and retaliate against that individual as well

But I'm so busy being pissed off, I don't stop to think
I am consumed by anger and don't pause to consider

That we've just inherited 50's beef with Murder Inc.
We have now unintentionally taken on 50 Cent's conflict with Murder Inc.

And he's inherited mine, which is fine, ain't like either of us mind
And 50 Cent has also become involved in my conflict, but neither of us particularly minds

We still have soldiers that's on the front line
We have loyal members of our teams who are actively involved in the conflict

That's willin' to die for us as soon as we give the orders
They are prepared to sacrifice their lives for us, following our commands

Never to extort us, strictly to show they support us
Their intentions are pure, solely to demonstrate their loyalty

And maybe shout 'em out in a rap or up in a chorus
Perhaps we can acknowledge and praise them in a song or chorus

To show 'em love 'em back and to let 'em know how important
To reciprocate their love and make them aware of their significance

It is to have Runyon Avenue soldiers up in our corners
The presence and support of soldiers from Runyon Avenue is invaluable to us

Their loyalty to us is worth more then any award is
The devotion and allegiance they possess is more valuable to us than any accolade

But I ain't tryna have none of my people hurt or murdered
But I don't want any harm or death to come to my associates

It ain't worth it, I can't think of a perfecter way to word it
It is not worth the consequences, and I cannot find a more suitable way to express it

Then to just say that I love y'all too much to see the verdict
I simply want to convey that I care deeply for all of you and can't bear the outcome

I'll walk away from it all 'fore I let it go any further
I would rather distance myself from the situation completely than let it escalate

But don't get it twisted, it's not a plea that I'm copin'
However, do not misinterpret my actions as a sign of weakness or surrender

I'm just willin' to be the bigger man if y'all can quit poppin'
I am willing to take the higher road if all of you can stop provoking

Off at the jaws, well, then I can, 'cause frankly I'm sick of talkin'
If you can stop instigating conflicts, then I can do the same, as I have grown tired of the constant arguments

I'm not gonna let someone else's coffin rest on my conscience 'cause
I refuse to bear the guilt for someone else's demise, since

Step by step, heart to heart, left, right, left
Moving forward together, emotionally connected, following a rhythmic pattern

We all fall down like toy soldiers
Just like toy soldiers, we crumble and collapse in defeat

Bit by bit, torn apart
Little by little, we are broken and ripped apart

We never win, but the battle wages on for toy soldiers
We never emerge as victors, yet the fight continues for vulnerable individuals