Pray
Jay-Z Feat. Maxwell Lyrics

Delivery me from my enemies, oh God
Asking God for protection from enemies

Defend me from those that rise up against me
Requesting God to defend against opponents

Deliver me from the work of inequity
Seeking liberation from unjust actions

And save me, from the Bloody men
Asking for safety from dangerous people

Look, mind state of a gangster from the 40's
Describing a mentality like that of old-time gangsters

Meet the business mind of Motown's Berry Gordy
Introducing a successful business person, Berry Gordy

Turn crack rock into a chain of 40/40's
Achieving success by transforming negative circumstances (such as dealing drugs) into something positive (owning a chain of clubs)

Sorry my jewelry so gaudy
Apologizing for ostentatious jewelry

Slid into the party with my new pair of Mauris
Entering a party wearing new footwear

America, meet the gangsta Shawn Corey
Introducing the artist, Jay-Z, to America

Hey young world, wanna hear a story?
Addressing the audience and inviting them to listen to a story

Close your eyes and you could pretend you're me
Encouraging the audience to imagine themselves as the artist

A cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's
Comparing oneself to the Kennedy family

Frank Sinatra having dinner with the Genovese
Name-dropping famous people, Frank Sinatra and the Genovese family

This is the genesis of a nemesis
Beginning of a new enemy

Mother America's not witnessed since
A situation that America has not seen before

The Harlem Renaissance birthed black businesses
Describing how the Harlem Renaissance created black-owned companies

This is the tale of lost innocence's, as the incense burn
Telling a story of innocence lost, while incense is burning in the background

And the turntables turn and that Al Greens plays
Description of the background music

I see my mother's afro, as mama taps her toes as she rolls her J's
Observing the artist's mother smoking and enjoying music

And my papa just left the house, in search of the killer of my uncle Ray
Father leaves the house to investigate a family tragedy

And she's tryna calm my nerves, as I observe this is just one day
Mother tries to console the artist about the event happening one day at a time

And what tomorrow has in store, we could never be sure, so all we can do is Pray
Acknowledging the uncertainty of the future and relying on faith

Because of Your strength
Recognizing God's strength

While I walked upon thee
Appreciating God's guidance and support

For God is my defense (pray for me)
Relying on God for protection and safety

As I head towards my homeroom, I observe the ruins, dope needles on the ground
Reflecting on a dangerous environment while walking to school

I hear a car go, "Vrooom", drug dealer in the BM with the top down
Hearing a drug dealer driving a fancy car

As the girls start to giggle, I ask, "Why you laugh?", they say, "You too little
Girls tease the artist for being small and not understanding the world they live in

One day you'll understand, when you become a man 'bout things you have to get you"
Girls suggest the singer will understand when he's older and needs to do what it takes to survive

Fast forward, freeze frame on my pistol
Jumping ahead in time to the singer owning a weapon

Fist full of dollars, ignorance is so blissful
Living happily in ignorance with money in hand

I didn't choose this life, this life chose me
Feeling like circumstances were out of control and chose the life the artist lives

Around here is the shit that you just do
Survival requires doing things that may not be morally right

I just left school, the same BM is pulled over by the boys dressed blue
Police stopping the same car from earlier in the day

They had they guns drawn, screaming, "Just move"
Police being aggressive with their commands

"Or is there something else you suggest we can do"
Sarcastic response to the police officer's question, offering no other solutions

He made his way to the trunk, opened it like, "Huh"
Drug dealer is calm throughout the altercation and opens the trunk

A treasure chest was removed
Removing something valuable from the trunk

Cops said he'll be back next month
Police accepting bribes and allowing the situation to occur again

What we call corrupt, he called paying dues
Justifying corruption as paying dues to survive in a harsh environment

Now when the rules is blurred, as they is and were, what am I to do?
Questioning how to behave when the difference between right and wrong is unclear

But pray, pray the Lord forgive me
Turning to faith and asking for forgiveness for past actions

Pray He guides me by what I'm 'bout go through
Asking for God to provide guidance in future situations

Geah, anywhere there's oppression, the drug profession
Acknowledging that drugs thrive in areas of oppression

Flourishes like beverages, refreshing (ah)
Metaphor comparing drugs to refreshing drinks that are easily accessible

Sweet taste of sin, everything I've seen made me everything I am
All experiences, good or bad, have shaped the singer into the person he is today

Bad drug dealer or I victim, I beg
Acknowledging the possibility of being both a victim and a bad drug dealer in this environment

What came first? Moving chickens or the egg?
Questioning the origin of illegal activity and its impact on society

This is why I be so fresh,I'm tryna beat life 'cause I can't cheat death
Maintaining a fresh lifestyle and trying to overcome obstacles, even though death is inevitable

Treat shame with shamelessness, aim stainless at anuses
Dealing with shame by acting shameless and using violent means to protect oneself

You know who's game this is
Knowing that one needs to be tough to survive in this environment

Move coke like Pepsi it don't matter what the brand name is
Indicating that the type of drug is not what matters, only the ability to sell it

I stand behind mine, everything I do I'm a man behind mine
Taking responsibility for all actions and never backing down

I'm not a angel, I'm sure, but every night before I lay
Acknowledging that he is not perfect, but still praying every night

I drop my knees to the floor and I pray
Enduring a position of supplication during prayer

The name shall endure forever
The name of God is eternal

The name shall be continued as long as the sun (pray for me)
God's name will be revered as long as the sun exists

Men shall be blessed in Him
People will experience blessings by following God

All nations shall call Him blessed
All nations will revere God

In your name I pray (pray for me)
Ending the song with a prayer, seeking blessings from God