Madonna
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics

Immaculate mother of the holy soul
Addressing the Virgin Mary as a pure and sacred figure

On behalf of the overdose
Asking for help for those suffering from addiction

We come to you uncomfortable in our ways
Acknowledging the flaws and imperfections of the singer and seeking guidance anyway

Please don't slam the door all in my face
Asking for mercy and understanding in approaching the divine

Tried to go to church, church ain't work
Attempting to find solace in organized religion but failing

Still want to kill niggas
Despite the desire for peace and redemption, the singer still struggles with destructive impulses

Tried to go work, but work ain't work
Trying to find success and stability through employment but facing obstacles

Work ain't work for the feel nigga
The system does not benefit or support individuals like the artist

Really make me feel like a field nigga
Being oppressed and exploited like a slave working in the fields

Make me feel worse, really tryna' chill
Attempting to relax and unwind but facing constant stress and anxiety

But inside I feel like a steel mill, nigga
Emotions and thoughts are intense and overwhelming like an industrial factory

And it's hard when these niggas steal mama
Struggling with the theft and loss of a mother figure

What, when you and God gotta mill still mama
Questioning why God allows such suffering and pain to exist

Living off a meal deal mama, can't stunt
Living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet

With them lil' wheels mama, need a real purse real heels mama
Desiring material possessions and a better quality of life

How dem liquors and them pills feel mama, lil' mama
Escaping from reality through substance abuse and addiction

No man shall prosper
Quoting a biblical passage to express the belief that evil will not succeed

Lord knows if I said it, it's gospel, lil' mama
Asserting the truth and validity of the message being conveyed

No man shall touch this
Reiterating the belief in divine protection and guidance

Lord said nobody can fuck with, your momma
Referencing the Virgin Mary as an intermediary or protector

I be just trying make it
Struggling to overcome obstacles and achieve success

They be just trying break us
Facing systemic oppression and attempts to undermine their progress

White T on they shoulders
Referring to the police and their uniforms

What drags em off through the streets
Describing violent arrests and brutality at the hands of law enforcement

In the whip wit' they soldiers
Police officers driving in their vehicles with fellow officers as backup

Trying to stick all this time to me
Being accused and convicted of crimes that were not committed

Could you just send a dime to me
Asking for financial assistance or support from family

Mama please send a sign to me
Praying for guidance and help from a maternal figure

What's looking like life?
Questioning the prospects and quality of life

Is probation and a fine to me
Referring to the punitive and unjust nature of the criminal justice system

Lawyer said I'd be alright
Being given false hope or reassurance

But I think that he lying to me
Doubting the honesty and integrity of those in positions of power

They really wanna throw those lines to me
Being harassed and threatened with violence or imprisonment

Put me in a line, put the knives to me
Being subjected to violence or death by those in power

Put me in the sky, put it to my side
Considering the possibility of suicide or death

Holy mother of the blessed soul
Returning to the theme of the Virgin Mary as a sacred and powerful figure

They don't love you there, they love you here
Asserting the importance of familial and personal relationships in faith and spirituality

I love you like I'm Mexico
Expressing love and devotion as intensely as the singer imagines Mexicans do for their religious icons

Say, 'Santa Maria, Madre de Dios
Addressing the Virgin Mary by her Spanish name and as the mother of God

Ruega por nosotros pecadores
Requesting that the Virgin Mary pray for the salvation of the artist and all sinners

Ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte, amen
Asking for her intercession and guidance both in life and at the time of death

They sent them all to the slaughter
Referring to systemic and institutional violence and oppression against marginalized communities

Baby mama, no father
Describing the impact of these issues on families and relationships

He was hanging round them murderers
Being targeted and influenced by criminal elements in the community

And them prostitutes and them robbers, yeah
Being exposed to and enticed by illegal or immoral activities

Them dope fiends and that water, yeah
Being addicted to drugs and alcohol

Wit' angel dust in they nostrils, yeah
Using the powerful hallucinogen PCP

They hit em up wit' that chopper
Being the victim of gun violence

She was holdin' him, in her hands
Describing the aftermath of a fatal shooting

Just like Stigmata, yeah
Comparing the tragic death to the wounds of Christ on the cross

Said you gon' live here forever
Referencing the belief in an afterlife and the idea of eternal life

Salvation and treasure
Linking the concepts of spiritual and material reward

Died like Ricky on his mama couch
Referencing the death of a character from the film 'Boyz n the Hood'

Right there in his mama house
Emphasizing the tragic and personal nature of this loss

Only child, the holy mama's your mama now
Embracing the figure of the Virgin Mary as a surrogate mother

Mama said my son never been no killer
Defending the artist's character and denying any involvement in violent crime

No drug dealer, no gang member
Asserting that the artist is not involved in criminal activity or affiliated with dangerous organizations

Mama said my son never been no trouble
Reinforcing the idea of the artist as a law-abiding and innocent individual