History
Jay-Z Lyrics

Now that all the smoke is gone
After all the struggles and difficulties have passed

(Lighter)
An expression of wanting to light up a cigarette

And the battle's finally won
After a long and hard-fought conflict, the victory has been achieved

(Gimme a lighter)
Asking for someone to hand him a lighter to light up a cigarette

Victory (Lighters up) is finally ours
Celebrating the victory with the lighting up of lighters

(Lighters up)
An expression of celebration and excitement

History so long so long
The history of the struggle has been long and difficult

So long, so long
Reinforcing the idea that the struggle has been going on for a long time

In search of victory she keeps eluding me
The pursuit of victory has been difficult and elusive

If only we could be together momentarily
Expressing a desire to enjoy the victory and celebrate, if only for a short while

We can make love and make history
Suggesting that celebrating the victory will be glorious and memorable

Why won't you visit me? Until she visit me
Asking why victory hasn't come, yet still holding out hope for its arrival

I'll be stuck with her sister her name is defeat
Until victory comes, he will be left with the constant presence of defeat

She gives me agony, so much agony
Defeat brings with it intense pain and disappointment

She brings me so much pain so much misery
Defeat causes him significant discomfort and sadness

Like missing your last shot and falling to your knees
A metaphor for the feeling of utter defeat and failure

As the crowd screams for the other team
The added humiliation and disappointment of losing in front of an audience

I practice so hard for this moment victory don't leave
Despite the difficulties, he has prepared for this moment and doesn't want to lose it

I know what this means I'm stuck in this routine
Acknowledging the familiarity of this cycle of defeat and victory, and how it can be difficult to break out of

Whole new different day same old thing
The same pattern of struggle, defeat, and eventual victory repeats every day

All I got is dreams nobody else can see
Despite the difficulties and setbacks, he is driven by his dreams and desires for victory

Nobody else believes, nobody else but me
Despite others doubting him, he has faith in himself and his ability to achieve victory

Where are you victory? I need you desperately
Expressing a sense of desperation for the arrival of victory

Not just for the moment to make history
The pursuit of victory isn't just for the sake of winning, but for the sake of making a lasting impact

So now I'm flirting with death hustling like a G
Acknowledging the dangers of his pursuit of victory, which takes the form of hustling and risking his life

While victory wasn't watching took chances repeatedly
Taking risks and making moves to achieve victory, even when it seems unlikely

As a teenage boy before acne before I got Proactiv I couldn't face she
Referring to his sense of inadequacy and self-doubt as a teenager

I just threw on my hoodie and headed to the street
The hoodie serves as a metaphor for hiding his insecurities and fear of failure

That's where I met success we'd live together shortly
Finding success, but acknowledging its fleeting nature

Now success is like lust she's good to the touch
Comparing the fleeting nature of success to the attraction of lust

She's good for the moment but she's never enough
Success is satisfying in the short-term, but doesn't provide lasting fulfillment

Everybody's had her she's nothing like V
Success is common and doesn't have the same unique qualities as victory

But success is all I got unfortunately
Despite its shortcomings, success is what he has right now

But I'm burning down the block hoppin' in and out of V
Still pursuing victory even while acknowledging the allure of success

But something tells me that there's much more to see
Despite his successes, he still feels there is more to accomplish

Before I get killed because I can't get robbed
Realizing the dangers of his pursuit, and the need to be careful

So before me success and death menage
Referring to the dangerous balance he must strike between pursuing success and avoiding death

I gotta get lost I gotta find V
Acknowledging the need to re-focus on the pursuit of victory

We gotta be together to make history
Emphasizing the importance of victory in achieving lasting impact and success

Now victory is mine it tastes so sweet
Celebrating the arrival of victory, which is rewarding and satisfying

She's my trophy wife you're coming with me
Victory is something to be celebrated and displayed with pride

We'll have a baby who stutters repeatedly
Personifying their success and victory in the form of a child

We'll name him History he'll repeat after me
Naming the child after the concept of history, emphasizing the importance of their victory in the grand scheme of things

He's my legacy son of my hard work
Their child represents the culmination of their hard work and pursuit of victory

Future of my past he'll explain who I be
Their child will represent their legacy and achievements to future generations

Rank me amongst the greats either 1 2 or 3
Desiring to be remembered as one of the all-time greats

If I ain't number one then I failed you victory
Acknowledging that failure to be the best would be a disappointment, even with victory achieved

Ain't in it for the fame that dies within weeks
The pursuit of victory isn't for the sake of fame or recognition that fades quickly

Ain't in it for the money can't take it when you leave
The pursuit of victory isn't for the sake of money, which they can't take with them when they die

I wanna be remembered long after you grieve
Desiring to leave a lasting legacy that will be remembered long after they've passed away

Long after I'm gone long after I breathe
Emphasizing the long-lasting nature of the legacy they hope to leave

I leave all I am in the hands of history
Complete faith in history to preserve and remember their legacy

That's my last will and testimony
A statement of their desires and beliefs for what they hope their legacy will be

This is much more than a song it's a baby shower
The song is symbolic of the birth of their legacy and accomplishments

I've been waiting for this hour history you ours
Eagerly anticipating the moment of victory and legacy-building