āl e t . g o . m y . h a n d
J. Cole Bas 6LACK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping to see home
If I die before I
See your smile just one more time
Sometimes I question whether this shit matters
Puttin' substance into something and the world's so used to instant gratification
I found this instrumental on my phone while on vacation
I probably heard it before, but slept on it, you know?
Shit don't always connect as soon as you press play
At times you gotta step away, do some livin'
Let time provide a new prescription, givin' truer vision
I dibble-dabble in a few religions
My homie constantly telling me 'bout Quran, puttin' me on
I read a few pages and recognize the wisdom in it
But I ain't got the discipline for stickin' with it
Now I'm on the way to London, got a show for seven digits
I'm wonderin' just when did I become my biggest critic?
I wanna be my biggest fan, like how I was when didn't nobody know my jams
Today my son said, "Dad, let go my hand"
Reminded me one day he's gonna be his own man
And my job is to make sure he's equipped
I gotta make sure he not no bitch 'cause niggas bound to try him
If I said I was the toughest growin' up, I would be lyin'
I had a fear of gettin' punched while everybody eyein'
Add to that a constant fear of dyin'
By gunshot wound, or other violent type of endings
I kept a tough demeanor on the surface but was mostly just pretendin'
Luckily my bluff was workin' way more often than not
But sometimes a nigga pulled my card, tryna expose me for a fraud
And with my reputation at stake
I was scufflin' just to save face
Couple wins, couple losses, some broken up too quick to call it
My last scrap was with Puff Daddy, who would've thought it?
I bought that nigga album in seventh grade and played it so much
You would've thought my favorite rapper was Puff
Back then I ain't know shit, now I know too much
Ignorance is bliss and innocence is just ignorance before it's introduced to currency and clips
Or bad licks that have a nigga servin' three to six, shit
Soldier's song, marching on, on
Hoping to see home
If I die before I
See your smile just one more time
Soldier's song
I could be one to lean on
Time will right them wrongs
Won't be long
How can we grow any closer?
How can we grow any closer?
How can we grow any closer?
How can we grow any closer?
Something inside of me's tryna crawl up to the surface
Something is suddenly smothering, stopping me
Stubbornly getting its way (way), way (way)
Drowning out the wave (drowning out)
I've got a reason to believe that I'll turn out just fine
Soldier's song
Lord, please guide our steps
Watch us, cover us
So that every move we make is in alignment with Your will
Your purpose
Please fill us with Your spirit
Keep us forever in the present
For presence makes the strongest fathers
Teach us how to lead
Show us how to love
The opening lines of the song 'l e t . g o . m y . h a n d' represent a soldier's march on, filled with hopes of seeing home. The lyrics carry the pain of potentially dying before getting to see the smile of loved ones just one more time. However, J. Cole's verse in the song speaks about the battle with one's self, constantly questioning whether what they're doing matters. He shares his experience of discovering an instrumental for the song on his phone while on vacation, one which he had ignored earlier. The song is about taking a break from the fast pace of life and taking some time to live and learn, about learning to let go of one's ego and be a better person, about being a good father and leading by example.
In the lyrics, J. Cole speaks about his experience with different religions, how his friend introduced him to the Quran, and how he recognized wisdom in it. However, he admits that he lacks the discipline to stick with it, which is something that resonates with many people. He then moves on to speak about his growth and journey as an artist, how he's now performing in London for seven figures, but still his biggest critic. Being a father has taught him that he needs to let go of his ego and be his own biggest fan, which is not easy when you're under constant scrutiny.
The last part of the song has a prayer for guidance and strength, teaching one how to lead and how to love. The song is about growth, self-reflection, and learning to be a better person over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Soldier's song, marching on, on
Beginning of the song, establishing a military theme and the idea of persevering in the face of difficulty
Hoping to see home
The goal of the soldier is to return home, safe and sound
If I die before I
See your smile just one more time
The fear of dying without seeing loved ones again is a constant presence for soldiers
Sometimes I question whether this shit matters
Doubt about the value of making music with substance in a world that values instant gratification
Puttin' substance into something and the world's so used to instant gratification
Expanding on the idea that the world values quick and easy entertainment, rather than depth and substance
I found this instrumental on my phone while on vacation
Discovery of the instrumental that sparked inspiration for the song
Ib sent it a year ago or so
Credit given to a friend who sent the instrumental a year prior
Shit don't always connect as soon as you press play
Acknowledging the fact that sometimes inspiration takes time to materialize
At times you gotta step away, do some livin'
The importance of taking a break to experience and learn from life
Let time provide a new prescription, givin' truer vision
Allowing time to change one's perspective and provide new insight
I dibble-dabble in a few religions
Exploration of different religious beliefs
My homie constantly telling me 'bout Quran, puttin' me on
Receiving information about the Quran from a friend
I read a few pages and recognize the wisdom in it
Acknowledging the value of the wisdom in the Quran
But I ain't got the discipline for stickin' with it
Admitting to a lack of discipline to commit to a particular religious practice
Now I'm on the way to London, got a show for seven digits
Success and wealth as a musician
I'm wonderin' just when did I become my biggest critic?
Self-doubt and insecurity despite external success
I wanna be my biggest fan, like how I was when didn't nobody know my jams
Desire to have self-confidence and self-love instead of relying on external validation
Today my son said, "Dad, let go my hand"
Realization that children grow up and need to be equipped to become independent adults
Reminded me one day he's gonna be his own man
Further realization of the need to prepare one's children for independence
And my job is to make sure he's equipped
Acknowledging the responsibility of a parent to prepare their child for the future
I gotta make sure he not no bitch 'cause niggas bound to try him
Protecting one's child from potential harm and violence
If I said I was the toughest growin' up, I would be lyin'
Humility in admitting that toughness wasn't always a part of one's identity
I had a fear of gettin' punched while everybody eyein'
Fear of public humiliation and vulnerability
Add to that a constant fear of dyin'
Fear of death and mortality
By gunshot wound, or other violent type of endings
Acknowledging that death can come in many forms, especially in certain environments
I kept a tough demeanor on the surface but was mostly just pretendin'
Admitting that a tough exterior isn't always an accurate reflection of one's true self
Luckily my bluff was workin' way more often than not
Acknowledging the success of projecting a tough persona
But sometimes a nigga pulled my card, tryna expose me for a fraud
Potential for others to see past the facade and challenge one's authenticity
And with my reputation at stake
Importance of reputation in certain environments
I was scufflin' just to save face
Struggling to maintain an image and reputation under threat of exposure
Couple wins, couple losses, some broken up too quick to call it
Life can be a mix of successes and failures, with some unclear outcomes
My last scrap was with Puff Daddy, who would've thought it?
Surprise at having a physical altercation with a famous musician
I bought that nigga album in seventh grade and played it so much
Nostalgic appreciation for Puff Daddy's music as a child
You would've thought my favorite rapper was Puff
Admitting to liking and admiring a musician who isn't typically considered as a favorite
Back then I ain't know shit, now I know too much
Realization of how much has been learned since childhood
Ignorance is bliss and innocence is just ignorance before it's introduced to currency and clips
The idea that innocence is only valued until it is corrupted by money and violence
Or bad licks that have a nigga servin' three to six, shit
The consequences of making bad choices and falling into a life of crime
Soldier's song
I could be one to lean on
Reiterating the idea of persevering and being someone to rely on
Time will right them wrongs
A reminder that time can heal and correct past mistakes
Won't be long
Optimism about the eventual resolution of difficulties
How can we grow any closer?
Questioning how to improve and deepen relationships with others
Something inside of me's tryna crawl up to the surface
An internal struggle or conflict emerging
Something is suddenly smothering, stopping me
Feeling suffocated or hindered in some way
Stubbornly getting its way (way), way (way)
The internal struggle persisting or intensifying
Drowning out the wave (drowning out)
Overwhelming and distracting emotions or thoughts
I've got a reason to believe that I'll turn out just fine
Despite inner turmoil, there is hope for a positive outcome
Soldier's song
Repeating the theme of perseverance and strength
Lord, please guide our steps
A prayer for guidance and support
Watch us, cover us
Seeking protection and safety through divine intervention
So that every move we make is in alignment with Your will
Asking for clarity and direction in life decisions
Your purpose
Trusting in a higher purpose and meaning in life
Please fill us with Your spirit
Asking for spiritual strength and guidance
Keep us forever in the present
Emphasizing the importance of living in the moment and not getting lost in the past or future
For presence makes the strongest fathers
Recognizing the value of being present and involved in one's family life
Teach us how to lead
Asking for guidance in leadership skills and responsibilities
Show us how to love
Asking for guidance in fostering and maintaining loving relationships with others
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jermaine Cole, Abbas Hamad, Kelvin Wooten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnairhart769
The ānow I know too muchā bar when talking about diddy hits
@DW51380
He also made up with him and posted it. diddy got something on him
@reign1594
šā@@DW51380
@desiredrapfilms
šÆš¦šŗš¦šŗ
@priscillarieder4666
@@DW51380wait what? Where?
@Solospeaking
They had a fight at the VMAs after party about Kendrick Lamar bars on the control song. Jay z and Diddy were hosting a party together and he confronts j Cole
@enchant3dt67
When he said "0:00 - 4:26" i felt that
@odell_is_my_father
i know right
@zenaidemeyer7944
right! š
@forwhytho9625
Hit my soul