Otherside of the Game
Erykah Badu Lyrics

Whatcha gonna do when they come for you
What actions will you take when someone comes after you?

Work ain't honest but it pays the bills
Although work may not always be ethical or morally correct, it is necessary for financial stability

What we gonna do when they come for you
What steps will you take when someone comes after you?

Gave me the life that I came to live
I was provided with the tools, resources and opportunities essential to the development and betterment of my life

Do I really
Am I truly

Want my baby
Desire to keep my partner and maintain our relationship

Brother tell me what to do
Ask for your guidance and advice on the situation

I know you got to get your hustle on
I understand that you need to work hard and grind to make a living

So I pray
I hope and wish for the best possible outcome

I understand the game, sometimes
I comprehend the nature of the situation or environment, albeit intermittently or incidentally

And I love you strong, but
I care for you and have strong feelings for you, regardless of the challenges we face

Now, me and baby got this situation
My partner and I are dealing with this current issue

See brotha got this complex occupation
My brother has a complicated, difficult job

And it ain't that he don't have education
He is not uneducated or ignorant, despite his difficult job

Cause I was right there at his graduation
I was present and supportive at his graduation ceremony

Now, I ain't sayin' that this life don't work
I am not denying that this line of work is successful or profitable

But it's me and baby that he hurts
His job is causing harm and negative effects on our personal lives and relationship

Cause I tell him right
Because I provide him with correct information or advice

He thinks I'm wrong
He disagrees with or ignores my perspective, thoughts or suggestions

But I love him strong
Despite our differences, I continue to care for him greatly

Pressure on me
I feel overwhelmed and stressed

But the seed had grown
The situation had taken root and grown too large for a simple solution

I can't make it on my own
I can't survive or cope alone without support and help

Summer came around and the flowers bloomed
The changing season brought about new growth and development

He became the sun
He became the dominant and powerful force influencing our lives

I became the moon
I became the secondary or passive figure in our relationship

Precious gifts that we both received
Valuable or special blessings that we both obtained or experienced together

Or could this be make believe
But are these positive experiences and benefits just an illusion or fantasy?

Don't you worry I know there's confusion
Don't stress, I acknowledge that there is uncertainty and puzzlement

God's gonna see us through
We have faith that a higher power will guide and protect us through this struggle

Peace out to revolution
A peaceful sentiment to those who are fighting for change

But we paid though
Despite the difficulty, we still found a way to pay and make ends meet