Lump Sum
Mars Ill Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dear Dad, the class began, hands were held and arms were open
Moments stolen from the globe and life's blood was always spoken
One was chosen for another. Broke my will against your wisdom
Pushed my face towards the light so I could cultivate the vision
Made decisions for the unit. Hard times, you moved us through it
By each word and every movement, you're the one who showed me what truth is
Thanks for the blueprint passed down. I'll grip it by the cover
Plus you showed me how to love my wife by the way you treat my mother
And Mom, you sacrificed your body, scarred beneath the weight
To usher my soul into the universe, human contact, you were first
Through the worst I had to offer, caught his mercy in your stare
You were there. Patched my wounds an protected me with your prayers
Gave me food when I was hungry. Gave me love when I was empty
Gave me a look of knowing solitude when I said where God would send me
Thanks for the days and the nights, the laughter and the fights
Teaching me wrong from right, Mom, the first woman in my life
To my brother, thanks for the beatdowns and the harassment
In you I learned to express my views with heated passion
Followed your footsteps good or bad, so please get the facts straight
My big brother introduced me to this and gave me my first rap tape
I watched you grow up, thrive, prosper and self destruct
Find the jewel in circumstances that sucked but still you stuck
A husband and a father, a brother and a son
Kevin, I'm so proud of the man that you've become
Pam, Jeff, Billy, Cliff, Paine, David, Terry, Chris, Ricky
The names stick with me, the names stick with me
Jason Lee, Ben Heaton, Josh Cleveland, Eric Sartain
Trent Gibson saw the best and the worst I've ever given
Sintax, I'd bend back the sky and shift the balance
I thank you for your strong mind, your friendship and your talent
Your example to all that witness 'cause there's no "I" in crew
You inspire me brother 'cause I can see Christ in you
Dust, where to start? The art's answer to my question
Blessed from lessons together that's always led to progression
This profession needs your genius to show cats what it's about
You keep making the music and I'll keep running my mouth
Playdough, Harry Krum, enough heart for every alias
Thanks for helping me carry the torch as we take these kids
Listener, Illtripp, Fred B, Recon
Rabbi, Manuel, Sev Statik and Sivion
It's on until we change the face and finish what we started
I'm thankful that you're all a part of this
Yeah it's on until we change expression, finish what we started
Deepspace5, it's never stopping
Mary, I don't have the words to get across my feelings
I breathe a purer form of oxygen when I'm staring at your face
I can rise above my limits and break through this vaulted ceiling
I'm a better man today because you occupy my space
I hit the road, you hold it down and shun the glory
I'll be the mouthpiece for your heart and I'll tell the world our story
Thanks for bearing our children. Thanks for sharing your life
Thanks for saying, "Yes," May. Thanks for being my wife
To my daughters and all unborn and future seeds
I look at the world through your eyes and you always help me see
Inspiration in your innocence and the future in your face
I write these songs so I can make your world a better place
And that's all to say that all that I am is a collection of souls
That God has used to touch me. Changed a reflection
Made a man from a simple stick-figure
And if I've ever met you, then you helped him paint the picture..





[Repeat 3X]

Overall Meaning

The song "Lump Sum" by Mars Ill is essentially an extended thank you letter to all the important people in the singer's life who have helped shape him into the person he is today. The singer expresses his gratitude to his parents for raising him and instilling him with a strong sense of morality and familial values. He thanks his brother for introducing him to the world of rap music and for pushing him to express himself with more passion. He acknowledges the friends, collaborators, and fellow musicians who have helped him on his journey and have left a lasting impact on him. He even thanks his wife and children for inspiring him and giving him purpose.


The song is deeply personal and heartfelt, and it highlights the importance of community and human connection. It also emphasizes the idea that no one achieves anything alone, and that we are all influenced and shaped by the people around us. Overall, the song is a celebration of the power of relationships and the impact that they can have on our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Dear Dad, the class began, hands were held and arms were open
The song begins with the artist expressing gratitude toward his father for the warmth and love that he experienced in his childhood, which has shaped him into the man he is today.


Moments stolen from the globe and life's blood was always spoken
The artist is acknowledging that his parents gave up a lot of their own personal lives and interests to raise him, always putting him first and ensuring that he was provided with what they felt was best for him.


One was chosen for another. Broke my will against your wisdom
The artist is admitting that he didn't always agree with his parents' choices for him, but over time he has grown to appreciate the sacrifices they made and the wisdom they imparted onto him.


Pushed my face towards the light so I could cultivate the vision
The artist's father pushed him toward his goals and dreams, helping him cultivate a vision for his own future.


Made decisions for the unit. Hard times, you moved us through it
The artist's parents made tough decisions for the entire family, but always found a way to move through tough times together.


By each word and every movement, you're the one who showed me what truth is
The artist's father was a role model for him, showing him what it means to live with integrity and pursue truth in all aspects of life.


Thanks for the blueprint passed down. I'll grip it by the cover
The artist is grateful for the blueprint his father passed down to him, and he will hold onto it tightly and follow it to the best of his ability.


Plus you showed me how to love my wife by the way you treat my mother
The artist's father modeled healthy love and respect for his mother, which has taught the artist how to love his own wife in a similar way.


And Mom, you sacrificed your body, scarred beneath the weight
The artist acknowledges the physical and emotional sacrifices that his mother made for him, acknowledging that he may not fully understand everything she went through to raise him.


To usher my soul into the universe, human contact, you were first
The artist's mother was the first human contact he ever had, helping to shape his very existence from the beginning of his life.


Through the worst I had to offer, caught his mercy in your stare
The artist acknowledges that his mother continued to show him grace and love even through his toughest and most trying moments.


You were there. Patched my wounds and protected me with your prayers
The artist's mother was always there to comfort him and pray for his protection, even in his darkest moments.


Gave me food when I was hungry. Gave me love when I was empty
The artist's mother provided for him in all aspects, both physically and emotionally, especially when he was at his lowest points.


Gave me a look of knowing solitude when I said where God would send me
The artist's mother gave him a sense of peace and understanding when he shared his thoughts and beliefs about his faith and where he felt called to go in life.


Thanks for the days and the nights, the laughter and the fights
The artist is expressing gratitude for all of the moments, both good and bad, that he shared with his mother.


Teaching me wrong from right, Mom, the first woman in my life
The artist's mother was instrumental in teaching him important lessons about morality and how to navigate the world as a respectful and honest individual.


To my brother, thanks for the beatdowns and the harassment
The artist is expressing playfully acknowledging that his brother was a part of his upbringing, even if it wasn't always easy.


In you I learned to express my views with heated passion
The artist's brother had a big influence on his ability to express himself and defend his beliefs with a fiery passion.


Followed your footsteps good or bad, so please get the facts straight
The artist is giving credit to his brother for his guidance, acknowledging that he may not have always made the best choices, but he followed his brother's example nonetheless.


My big brother introduced me to this and gave me my first rap tape
The artist's brother introduced him to rap music, which has been a formative element of his life ever since.


I watched you grow up, thrive, prosper and self destruct
The artist acknowledges his brother's successes, but also the difficult struggles he has gone through in his life, including moments of self-destruction.


Find the jewel in circumstances that sucked but still you stuck
The artist is acknowledging that even in the toughest moments, his brother has stuck with life and worked to find meaning and purpose in even the most challenging circumstances.


A husband and a father, a brother and a son
The artist acknowledges his brother's many roles in life, including those of a husband, father, brother, and son.


Kevin, I'm so proud of the man that you've become
The artist is proud of his brother and the man he has grown into over the years.


Pam, Jeff, Billy, Cliff, Paine, David, Terry, Chris, Ricky
The artist is giving a shoutout to various individuals who have been important in his life, either as family members or friends.


The names stick with me, the names stick with me
The artist still holds fond memories of these individuals and the impact they've had on him to this day.


Jason Lee, Ben Heaton, Josh Cleveland, Eric Sartain
More names of individuals who have been important in the artist's life, including friends who have supported him long-term.


Trent Gibson saw the best and the worst I've ever given
The artist acknowledges that in his friendship with Trent Gibson, he has both given his best and his worst, but the friendship has endured.


Sintax, I'd bend back the sky and shift the balance
The artist has a deep appreciation for his friend Sintax, who has shown incredible strength and resilience even in the hardest moments of life.


I thank you for your strong mind, your friendship and your talent
The artist is grateful for Sintax's various positive qualities, including his strong mind and immense talent, as well as his unwavering friendship.


Your example to all that witness 'cause there's no "I" in crew
Sintax is an example to all those who see him, demonstrating that a true crew is selfless and never puts itself above others.


You inspire me brother 'cause I can see Christ in you
The artist is inspired by Sintax's faith and ability to see Christ in all aspects of life.


Dust, where to start? The art's answer to my question
The artist holds his friend Dust in high regard, seeing him as a true artist and someone who can answer questions through his art.


Blessed from lessons together that's always led to progression
The artist and Dust have been through many lessons together, all of which have led to growth and progression over time.


This profession needs your genius to show cats what it's about
Dust has a unique genius that can show others in the music industry what true art is all about.


You keep making the music and I'll keep running my mouth
The artist will continue to promote Dust's music and share it with others, while Dust keeps creating the art that he's meant to make.


Playdough, Harry Krum, enough heart for every alias
The artist acknowledges the incredible passion and dedication that his friends Playdough and Harry Krum have for their music, as well as the many personas they've taken on over time.


Thanks for helping me carry the torch as we take these kids
The artist is grateful for his friends' help and support as they continue to make music and reach out to younger generations.


Listener, Illtripp, Fred B, Recon
More shoutouts to individuals who have been instrumental in the artist's life and career, including fellow musicians and friends.


Rabbi, Manuel, Sev Statik and Sivion
Even more individuals who have played a significant role in the artist's creative and personal lives.


It's on until we change the face and finish what we started
The artist and his fellow musicians and friends will continue to work tirelessly in order to change the music industry and the world at large for the better.


I'm thankful that you're all a part of this
The artist is grateful for the many individuals who have been by his side throughout his journey in music and in life.


Yeah it's on until we change expression, finish what we started
The group of friends and musicians will continue to work hard to stay true to their artistic expression and push forward despite any obstacles that may arise.


Deepspace5, it's never stopping
The artist and his friends will continue to create music together as the group Deepspace5, never stopping or slowing down in their pursuit of creativity.


Mary, I don't have the words to get across my feelings
The artist is expressing deep appreciation and gratitude toward Mary, but finds it hard to express those feelings fully.


I breathe a purer form of oxygen when I'm staring at your face
Seeing Mary's face fills the artist with a sense of joy and purity, almost like he's breathing in the freshest air possible.


I can rise above my limits and break through this vaulted ceiling
Mary inspires the artist to push past his limitations and reach new creative heights, breaking through any barriers that may stand in his way.


I'm a better man today because you occupy my space
Simply being near Mary and having her in his life has made the artist a better and more fulfilled person overall.


I hit the road, you hold it down and shun the glory
The artist travels frequently for his music, but he acknowledges that Mary stays behind and does the hard work at home, without seeking any recognition or praise for her efforts.


I'll be the mouthpiece for your heart and I'll tell the world our story
The artist will use his music and his creative voice to share the story he and Mary have built together, bringing her heart and spirit into his work.


Thanks for bearing our children. Thanks for sharing your life
The artist expresses his deep gratitude to Mary for bearing and raising their children, as well as sharing her life and her love with him.


Thanks for saying, "Yes," May. Thanks for being my wife
The artist is grateful to his wife May for marrying him and sharing her life with him, full of love and support.


To my daughters and all unborn and future seeds
The artist acknowledges his love and care for his daughters, as well as any potential future children he may have.


I look at the world through your eyes and you always help me see
The artist's daughters have a unique perspective on the world, and he often finds himself seeing things differently thanks to their observations and insights.


Inspiration in your innocence and the future in your face
The artist sees infinite inspiration in his daughters' innocence and youth, as well as boundless potential for the future.


I write these songs so I can make your world a better place
The artist creates music in order to make the world a better and brighter place for his daughters and for future generations.


And that's all to say that all that I am is a collection of souls
The artist acknowledges that every person who has come into his life has played a role in shaping who he is today.


That God has used to touch me. Changed a reflection
The artist sees the hand of God in his life, using the people around him to shape him and change him as a person.


Made a man from a simple stick-figure
The artist sees himself as having grown and changed immensely from the simple and undeveloped person he once was.


And if I've ever met you, then you helped him paint the picture..
Everyone the artist has ever met has been a part of painting the picture of his life, and he is grateful for each and every one of them.




Contributed by Kaylee M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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