The original release of the song featured KayCyy on the chorus. He was removed from the song (except his opening “ooh”) upon Donda’s 28 September 2021 update and replaced with West’s vocals singing a slightly changed chorus (along with Chris Brown on “New Again”). Unlike Brown, the reasoning for this is unknown. KayCyy retains a writing credit (Brown’s credit is struck from the record).
On the deluxe version of Donda, KayCyy’s version of the chorus was added back in “Keep My Spirit Alive pt 2”.
Keep My Spirit Alive
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep my spirit alive
Keep my spirit alive, alive
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Spirit won't die-ie
Oh, my life
Yo, flushed the work just in time and they raided
Thank God (thank God)
Screamin' through the GT roof like, we done made it (skrrt)
Thank God (thank God)
Hundred round drum didn't jam when my shooter try spray it
Thank God (thank God) (brrr)
Dropped a thousand grams, got two thousand grands when we waited
Thank God (thank God)
I was facin' fifteen and I beat it (and I beat it)
Just spent about twenty up at Neimans (up at Neimans)
Did two-hundred in a Demon (in a Demon, skrrt)
I'm the illest n-, and I mean it (and I mean it)
My homie droppin' bodies for no reason (boom, boom, boom)
Now his kids see him on the weekends (argh)
Got the baking soda for the remix (remix)
Millionaires on, I can see it
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Spirit won't die-ie
Oh, my life
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
Yeah, don't hate me 'cause my heart is full of love
No weapon formed against me 'cause I'm covered in the blood
Layin' in the hospital when I got shot, fam
Mama prayed for me, said she left it in God's hands, yeah
So I'ma leave it in God's hands
Everything I'm doin' now is God's plan
Doctor said I wouldn't walk no more, now I stand
Then I ran, here I am, Machine
Keep my spirit alive, alive
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Well, between a mix of bad schools with the fast-food
Bad had tools and a bad mood
If you don't turn to a lil' Gotti they gon' drain all the strength in your lil' body
They turned me into a lil' Gotti, uh, yeah
Not Wakanda but Wakanda is kinda like what we 'bout to make
And who gon' make it? Kan', duh
Who the squad? Donda
Who the mom? Donda
Who can see? Don, duh, get Don C
Who needs practice? I don't do rehearsals
And I don't do commercials 'cause they too commercial
Give it all to God and let Jesus reimburse you
She said "You in the studio with who? I'ma hurt you"
How I'm forty-two and you got a curfew?
How nerves dictate how they gon' curve you?
Quiet all the cordialness
We walk in God's spiritual ordinance
We know the blacks, the orphans, refused to be runaways
Rebel, renegade, must stay paid
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Spirit won't die-ie
Oh, my life
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
The lyrics of Kanye West's song Keep My Spirit Alive highlights his faith in God and how it has helped him to overcome various challenges and obstacles in his life. The chorus emphasizes his determination to keep his spirit alive despite whatever may come his way, with the conviction that God is always with him. He believes that his life is in God's hands, and therefore, he doesn't stress but prays and strategizes.
The verse tells a story of Kanye's life experiences, where he expresses gratitude for God's protection and preservation. Kanye talks about being saved from the police raid after taking care of his work. He thanks God that the gun didn't jam while his shooter was spraying it, and he also expresses gratitude for beating the fifteen years sentence he was facing. When Kanye got shot and was lying in the hospital, he recounts how his mother's prayers saved his life, and he attributes everything he does to God's plan.
The song's themes are centered around faith, gratitude, and resilience, exemplifying Kanye West's newfound spirituality with Christian references.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep my spirit alive
I want to stay true to who I am and not lose my essence.
More than anything
Above all else.
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Everything else in my life can be taken away, but my faith in God remains.
Spirit won't die-ie
My soul stays intact even when life tries to break me down.
Oh, my life
My existence on this earth.
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
God has control over my life, so I trust in Him and also take action to achieve my goals.
Yo, flushed the work just in time and they raided
I disposed of illegal goods just in time before the authorities arrived.
Thank God (thank God)
Grateful to a higher power for saving me from harm.
Screamin' through the GT roof like, we done made it (skrrt)
Celebrating our success by shouting out loud and driving recklessly.
Hundred round drum didn't jam when my shooter try spray it
My weapon did not malfunction when my associate fired it.
Dropped a thousand grams, got two thousand grands when we waited
Sold a significant amount of drugs and made a large profit in the process.
I was facin' fifteen and I beat it (and I beat it)
I was facing a fifteen-year prison sentence, but I avoided it.
Just spent about twenty up at Neimans (up at Neimans)
Recently spent a considerable amount of money at Neiman Marcus.
Did two-hundred in a Demon (in a Demon, skrrt)
Drove a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon at 200 miles per hour.
I'm the illest n-, and I mean it (and I mean it)
I am the most talented and skillful person around, and I am not just saying that.
My homie droppin' bodies for no reason (boom, boom, boom)
My friend is killing people without any valid motive.
Now his kids see him on the weekends (argh)
His children only get to visit him on weekends now that he is often in jail.
Got the baking soda for the remix (remix)
I have acquired baking soda to use in making drugs.
Millionaires on, I can see it
I am visualizing a future where I am wealthy and successful.
Yeah, don't hate me 'cause my heart is full of love
Do not resent me for having a compassionate personality.
No weapon formed against me 'cause I'm covered in the blood
I am protected from harm by my faith in God.
Layin' in the hospital when I got shot, fam
When I got shot, I was lying in a hospital bed.
Mama prayed for me, said she left it in God's hands, yeah
My mother prayed for me and entrusted my safety to God.
So I'ma leave it in God's hands
I choose to trust that God will take care of me and my circumstances.
Everything I'm doin' now is God's plan
I believe that everything I am currently doing is part of God's will for my life.
Doctor said I wouldn't walk no more, now I stand
Despite being told I would never walk again, I am now able to stand on my own.
Then I ran, here I am, Machine
I overcame the odds and achieved my dreams, and I am a force to be reckoned with now.
Well, between a mix of bad schools with the fast-food
I was exposed to negative influences such as low-quality education and unhealthy eating habits.
Bad had tools and a bad mood
I had a poor attitude and lacked positive role models in my formative years.
If you don't turn to a lil' Gotti they gon' drain all the strength in your lil' body
If you do not become hardened and ruthless like a Mafia boss, others will take advantage of you.
They turned me into a lil' Gotti, uh, yeah
I have become a tough and crafty individual capable of standing up for myself.
Not Wakanda but Wakanda is kinda like what we 'bout to make
The community I am building will be powerful and united, much like Wakanda from the Black Panther movie.
And who gon' make it? Kan', duh
I am the driving force behind this goal.
Who the squad? Donda
My team is made up of people who contribute to my success.
Who the mom? Donda
My mother is an important influence and source of support in my life.
Who can see? Don, duh, get Don C
My vision for this endeavor is clear, and I have hired Don C to help bring it to fruition.
Who needs practice? I don't do rehearsals
I am so naturally talented that I do not need to practice or rehearse.
And I don't do commercials 'cause they too commercial
I do not participate in commercial endorsements because they conflict with my authentic, non-conformist persona.
Give it all to God and let Jesus reimburse you
Trust in God to provide for your needs, and He will make it happen.
She said "You in the studio with who? I'ma hurt you"
My girlfriend is possessive and threatens me if she feels jealous or excluded.
How I'm forty-two and you got a curfew?
You are younger than me but have a stricter curfew. How does that make sense?
How nerves dictate how they gon' curve you?
Why do we let our anxieties and insecurities rule our lives?
Quiet all the cordialness
Put an end to all the fake politeness and get real.
We walk in God's spiritual ordinance
We live our lives according to God's moral principles and values.
We know the blacks, the orphans, refused to be runaways
We understand the struggles of the underprivileged and refuse to accept defeat.
Rebel, renegade, must stay paid
We are rebellious and go against the norm, but we will always strive for economic success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kanye Omari West, Lawrence Krsone Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@r4nsonnp
Lyrics
[Intro: Kanye West & KayCyy]
Ooh, ooh
Keep my spirit alive
Keep my spirit alive, alive
[Chorus: Kanye West]
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Spirit won't die, die
Oh, oh, my life
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
[Verse 1: Westside Gunn]
Yo
Flushed the work just in time and they raided, thank God (Thank God)
Screamin' through the GT roof like ****, we done made it, thank God (Thank God)
Hundred-round drum didn't jam when my shooter tried to spray it, thank God (Thank God)
Couple thousand grams, got two thousand grands when we waited, thank God (Thank God)
I was facin' fifteen and I beat it (And I beat it)
Just spent about twenty up at Neimans (Up at Neimans)
Did two hundred in a Demon (In a Demon, skrrt)
I'm the illest ** and I mean it (And I mean it)
My homie droppin' bodies for no reason (Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom)
Now his kids see him on the weekends (Ah)
Got the baking soda for the remix (Remix)
Millionaires on, I can see it
[Chorus: Kanye West]
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Spirit won't die, die
Oh, oh, my life
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
[Verse 2: Conway the Machine]
Yeah, don't hate me, 'cause my heart is full of love
No weapon formed against me 'cause I'm covered in the blood
Layin' in the hospital when I got shot, fam
Mama prayed for me, said she left it in God's hands, yeah
So I'ma leave it in God's hands
Everything I'm doin' now is God's plan
Doctor said I wouldn't walk no more, now I stand
Then I ran, here I am, Machine
[Chorus: Kanye West]
Keep my spirit alive, alive
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
[Verse 3: Kanye West & Royce da 5'9"]
Well, between a mix of bad schools with the fast food
Bad had tools and a bad mood
If you don't turn to a lil' Gotti, they gon' drain all the strength in your lil' body
They turned me into a lil' Gotti, uh, yeah
Not Wakanda but Wakanda is kinda like what we 'bout to make
And who gon' make it? Kan', duh
Who the squad? Donda
Who the mom? Donda
Who can see? Don, duh, get Don C
Who needs practice? I don't do rehearsals
And I don't do commercials, 'cause they too commercial
Give it all to God and let Jesus reimburse you
She said "You in the studio with who? I'ma hurt you"
How I'm forty-two and you got a curfew?
How nerves dictate how they gon' curve you?
Quiet all the cordialness
We walk in God's spiritual ordinance
We know the Blacks, the orphans refused to be runaways
Rebel, renegade, must stay paid
[Chorus: Kanye West]
More than anything
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
Spirit won't die, die
Oh, oh, my life
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
@Ukho_N
[Intro: KayCyy]
Ooh, ooh
Keep my spirit alive
Keep my spirit alive, alive
[Chorus: KayCyy]
More than enough
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
The spirit won't die, die
Oh, oh, my life, yeah
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
[Verse 1: Westside Gunn]
Yo
Flushed the work just in time and they raided, thank God (Thank God)
Screamin' through the GT roof like ****, we done made it, thank God (Thank God)
Hundred-round drum didn't jam when my shooter tried to spray it, thank God (Thank God)
Couple thousand grams, got two thousand grands when we waited, thank God (Thank God)
I was facin' fifteen and I beat it (And I beat it)
Just spent about twenty up at Neimans (Up at Neimans)
Did two hundred in a Demon (In a Demon, skrrt)
I'm the illest ** and I mean it (And I mean it)
My homie droppin' bodies for no reason (Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom)
Now his kids see him on the weekends (Ah)
Got the baking soda for the remix (Remix)
Millionaires on, I can see it
[Chorus: KayCyy]
More than enough
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
The spirit won't die, die
Oh, oh, my life, yeah
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
[Verse 2: Conway the Machine]
Yeah, don't hate me, 'cause my heart is full of love
No weapon formed against me 'cause I'm covered in the blood
Layin' in the hospital when I got shot, fam
Mama prayed for me, said she left it in God's hands, yeah
So I'ma leave it in God's hands
Everything I'm doin' now is God's plan
Doctor said I wouldn't walk no more, now I stand
Then I ran, here I am, Machine
[Chorus: KayCyy]
Keep my spirit alive
More than enough
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
[Verse 3: Kanye West & Royce da 5'9"]
Well, between a mix of bad schools with the fast food
Bad had tools and a bad mood
If you don't turn to a lil' Gotti, they gon' drain all the strength in your lil' body
They turned me into a lil' Gotti, uh, yeah
Not Wakanda but Wakanda is kinda like what we 'bout to make
And who gon' make it? Kan', duh
Who the squad? Donda
Who the mom? Donda
Who can see? Don, duh, get Don C
Who needs practice? I don't do rehearsals
And I don't do commercials, 'cause they too commercial
Give it all to God and let Jesus reimburse you
She said "You in the studio with who? I'ma hurt you"
How I'm forty-two and you got a curfew?
How nerves dictate how they gon' curve you?
Quiet all the cordialness
We walk in God's spiritual ordinance
We know the Blacks, the orphans refused to be runaways
Rebel, renegade, must stay paid
[Chorus: KayCyy]
More than enough
You can take it all, but the Lord on my side
The spirit won't die, die
Oh, oh, my life, yeah
Is in His hands, so I don't stress, I pray and strategize
@LvPrime
i miss this version on my spotify ngl
EDIT:
ITS BACK!!!
@jocelync.2034
Holy shit I’m not the only one? I thought I was going crazy
@michaeldiaz3521
@@jocelync.2034 same why did they change it
@NoseyBonk5599
@@301Haylen I swear bruh he’s the most annoying artist I’ve ever listened to, especially for ripping off his fans so much during the listening parties and stealing 17 mil from them
@s1ade307
@@301Haylen if you actually did 2 minutes of research you would find out that kaycyy was mad about being put on this track and didnt want to be on it and that's the reason it was removed
@kikiloveszelda
@@s1ade307 can you link a source to this? i havent been able to find anything on this so i'd like to read more on it.
@minipehkka
PUT THIS VERSION BACK ON THE ALBUM RN
@monicapalmer987
Expeditiously
@minipehkka
@@monicapalmer987 ONG KAYCYY CARRIED THE FUCKING ALBUM
@sz.cristi
@@minipehkka how you gonna say that when Vory did amazing on all 3 songs he was featured on?