Pray
Jay-Z Ft. Beyoncé Lyrics

Delivery me from my enemies oh god
Asking for protection from enemies and harm

Defend me from those that rise up against me
Asking for defense from people who oppose or rise up against her

Deliver me from the work of inequities
Asking for deliverance from injustice and unfairness

The savior from the blood of me
Asking for salvation and protection for her life

Look, mind state of a gangster from the 40's
Describing a state of mind that is modeled after gangsters from the 1940s

Meet the vicious mind of Motown's Berry Gordy
Introducing Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, as a model for a vicious mindset

Turn crack rocks into a chain of 40/40's
Celebrating the ability to turn something negative (crack) into something positive (40/40 chain of nightclubs)

Sorry my jewelery so Gordy
Apologizing for the extravagance of his jewelry, which is similar to Berry Gordy's style

Slid into the party with my new pair of Maury's
Arriving at a party wearing a new pair of shoes

America meet the gangsta Shawn Corey
Introducing himself (Jay-Z) as a gangster from America

Hey young world wanna hear a story?
Asking the young people if they want to hear a story

Close your eyes and you could pretend your me
Inviting listeners to imagine themselves as him

A cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's
Stating that he comes from a similar background as the famous Kennedy family

Frank Sinatra having dinner with the Genovese
Imagining the famous singer Frank Sinatra having dinner with a notorious mafia family, the Genovese

This is the genesis of a nemesis
Introducing the beginning of a rivalry or enemy

Mother America's not witnessing
Implying that America is not aware of the birth of something important

The Harlem renaissance birthed black businesses
Recognizing the cultural and business significance of the Harlem Renaissance

This is the tale of lost innocence's as the incense burn
Referring to a story of innocence being lost, as incense burns in the background

And the turn tables turn and that AL Greens plays
Describing the sound of a record being played

I see my mother's Afro as momma taps her toes as she rolls her jays
Observing his mother's hairstyle and actions as she rolls her marijuana cigarettes

And my poppa just left the house, in search of the killer of my uncle ray
Recounting how his father left home to find the person who killed his uncle

And she's trying to calm my nerves, as I observe this is just one day
Describing how his mother is trying to calm him down during a difficult day

And what tomorrow has in store we could never be sure so all we can do is Pray
Realizing the uncertainty of the future and acknowledging the importance of prayer

Because of your strength
Recognizing God's power and strength

While I walked upon the
As she walks throughout her life

For god is my defense
Stating that God is her protector

As I head towards my home room I observe the rooms though needles on the ground
Noticing drug needles on the ground while heading to class

I hear a car go vrooom drug dealer in the BM with the top down
Hearing a car sound and realizing a drug dealer is driving a BMW with the top down

As the girls start to giggle I ask why you laugh they say 'you too little'
Asking why some girls are laughing and understanding it is because he is young

One day you'll understand when you become a man 'bout things you have to get you
Telling young people that they will understand things they must do when they get older

Fast forward freeze frame on my pistol
Describing a moment of danger with a handgun

Fist full of dollars ignorance is so blissful
Acknowledging the pleasures of ignorance and wealth

I didn't choose this life this life chose me
Explaining that he did not choose a life of crime, but rather it was his only option

Around here is the s*** that you just do
Describing the reality of a certain lifestyle

I just left school, the same BM is pulled over by the boys dressed blue
Leaving school and seeing the same BMW pulled over by police officers

They had they guns drawn screaming just move
Describing a violent encounter with police

Unless there something else you suggest we can do
Sarcastically asking if there are other options in this situation

He made his way to the trunk, opened it like a huh
Describing the actions of a drug dealer as he opens the trunk of the car

A treasure chest was removed
Referring to drugs as a valuable treasure

Cops said he'll be back next month
Implying the police know the drug dealer will continue to sell drugs

What we call corrupt he called paying dues
Acknowledging the illegal actions of a drug dealer, but understanding it as the cost of doing business

Now when the rules is blurred as they hears a what am I to do
Questioning what to do when the lines between right and wrong are unclear

But pray, pray the lord forgive me
Once again acknowledging the importance of prayer and asking God for forgiveness

Pray guys goodbye for what I'm about go through
Asking for strength and support for what he is about to face

Anyway there's oppression the drug profession
Describing the oppressive nature of the drug business

Flourishes like beverages refreshing
Comparing the drug industry to a refreshing drink that is readily available

Sweet taste of sin everything I've seen made me everything I am
Admitting that his experiences with sin have shaped who he is as a person

Bad drug dealer or I victim I beg
Questioning whether he is a bad drug dealer or a victim of his circumstances

What came first moving chickens or the egg
Asking what came first, his actions or the system that put him in that position

This is why I be so fresh I'm trying to beat life
Explaining why he places so much emphasis on his appearance as he tries to outsmart life

Because I can't cheat death
Recognizing that no matter how successful he is, he cannot escape death

The truth is the shamelessness ain't stainless is that aim this is
Describing how shamelessness and corruption are the norm, rather than the exception

You know who's game this is
Acknowledging the control of the game by those in power

Move coke like Pepsi it don't matter what the brand name is
Comparing selling cocaine to selling Pepsi and saying that the brand name does not matter

I stand behind mine everything I do I'm a man behind mine
Stating that he takes responsibility for his actions and decisions

I'm not a angel I'm sure but every night before I lay I drop my knees to the floor and I pray
Admitting his imperfections, but always ending his day with prayer

The name shall endure forever
Believing that God's name will last for eternity

The name shall continue as long as the sun will
Saying that God's name will last as long as the sun shines

Men shall be blessed in him
Stating that people will receive blessings through God

All nations shall call him blessed
Saying that people all over the world will recognize the blessing of God

In your name I pray
Ending with a final prayer to God