Why Then To Live
Mr. Matt Lyrics

How can I get so far gone
I am questioning how I reached this low point in my life

When can I move on
I am wondering when I will be able to overcome my struggles and move forward

Dreading a world that'll never go on
I fear a future where nothing changes, nothing improves, and nothing gets better

If I took the time replace
If I could replace my negative thoughts and actions with positive ones

Only mine erased
If I could erase only my own mistakes and shortcomings

'Cause I feel as if I'm here but I'm gone
I feel physically present but mentally absent and disconnected from the world

I heard a lil' tale about to children sittin on the kitchen floor
I heard a story about young children living in poverty, facing numerous challenges in life

They eatin mayonaise out the jar and they moms out smokin dope on the stroll
These children have to resort to eating condiments and their mother is absent and struggling with addiction

Man, you believe this
Can you believe this is the reality for some children?

Life is complete for them
Despite their hardships, these children still find moments of contentment and joy

And it ain't no emotions, only instinct
Their ability to survive is based solely on their instincts and not their emotions

And that's how they'll be raised by the streets
These children will have to rely on the streets to teach them how to survive and navigate life

A boy and a girl
These two children, one male and one female, are fighting to survive in a difficult environment

Just up the boulevard from your world
Despite being geographically close, their world and experiences are vastly different from those of others on the same street

Oh it ain't all gravy where you at
Life is not always easy and perfect for others in different situations

'Cause that's where he gon' go to jack
The area where these children live is also where others might commit crimes and participate in theft

Catch his first case at, become a disgrace at
These children are at risk of falling into a life of crime and becoming a disappointment to society

But not in this world up the boulevard
However, in their world, things might be different and they may have a chance to thrive

I'ma see to hit that liquor, starts so easily
I have seen how quickly someone can become addicted to alcohol and how damaging it can be

The difference people in my life are dyin and I see this
I have seen the negative impact of substance abuse and addiction on those around me, causing me to reflect on my own choices

My question is, to what lengths do we go so that they live
I am wondering how far we should go to help those in vulnerable situations and ensure their survival

'Cause I'ma reach this
I am determined to make a positive change and help those in need

My locc's mean everythang to me, life is an odysea
The people in my life, like my gang members, are important to me and life is a difficult journey

But sometimes, you don't step up and take the reigns
Sometimes, we fail to take responsibility and make positive changes in our own lives and the lives of others

Man, the world'll play you cheap, should I ride
The world can be cruel and unfair, causing us to wonder if it's worth it to keep fighting

I'm picturin kids cryin, a head firin up dope over the stove
I am imagining the heartbreaking reality of children crying while their caregiver uses drugs nearby

Family car gettin repot because they couldn't cover the note
Families in poverty often struggle to pay their bills and make ends meet, even losing their car as a result

Nobody knows what's to eat because there's no groceries
Families living in poverty face food insecurity, often not knowing when or where their next meal will come from

And the baby suffers from a rash 'cause he hasn't been changed in over a week
Due to neglect and lack of resources, a baby is suffering with a rash because they have not been properly cared for

The oldest keeps things together, by scramblin up some powdered eggs
Despite the challenges they face, the oldest child in this family works hard to keep their family fed and somewhat stable

She's only 5, so why her mom can't keep them pimps from out her face
It's heartbreaking that a young child has to worry about being exposed to things like prostitution and exploitation

How could they rape in that arrestin
It's difficult to comprehend how someone could commit such heinous acts like rape, even leading to arrest

The mother won't admit, but she's molested, diseased and infested
The mother of this family has likely experienced trauma and abuse, but is unable to admit it or seek help for it

With wing worms, both of her legs covered with ring burns
She is also suffering from physical ailments and neglect, including untreated infections

She cleans up, but whoever heard of some clean germs
Although she attempts to keep things clean, it's difficult to maintain hygiene and sanitation in a difficult living situation

I seen the, hurt in her mama's eyes, she tramatized
I have witnessed the pain and trauma in this mother's eyes, knowing she has faced numerous challenges in her life

Been beat up, ever since her father died, no harmonize
Since the death of their father, this family has faced numerous challenges, unable to find stability or happiness

It's hard for me to talk about the good things in my life
Due to the guilt I feel about my own choices and past, I struggle to openly discuss my own positive experiences

With all the things I did for stripes
I have made numerous sacrifices and taken risks in my life, often facing negative consequences as a result

And the way I made my gramps and my mama cry
I have caused pain and disappointment to those closest to me, including my own family members

This life is real, and I ain't got time to care about you
In a harsh and unforgiving world, I am forced to prioritize my own survival and well-being over others'

Just sell smack to you, and sell crack to you, and sell a sack to you
In order to survive, I have had to resort to selling drugs to others, regardless of the harm it may cause

Never give back to you, unless you know me and you owe me
I am reluctant to help others unless they have something to offer me in return or owe me a debt

And never worry about your dreams, that's you the bigga the lil' homie
I don't bother with aspiring to achieve anything greater, and tend to prioritize those who are less successful than me

Here to corrupt you for sho', like my pops did and he did it wrong
I know that my actions are corrupt and harmful to others, but I've been influenced by my own father who did the same

Now he lost everything he owned and he lost everyone he knows
My father's choices eventually led to his downfall, losing everything he had and everyone who mattered

Like a ??? showin you the ropes
Similar to a mentor, I have become the person that teaches others how to survive in a harsh environment

And introduce you to all kinds of good stuff like alcohol and weed smoke
I am exposing others to harmful substances like drugs and alcohol, believing it is a way to cope with their struggles

And dice games, take you to places you may die
I am also introducing others to dangerous activities, putting them at risk of harm and even death

And the whole time we rollin, I'ma say, man, this the real way to survive
Throughout these dangerous experiences, I am convincing others that this is the only way to survive, further perpetuating a cycle of harm and negative outcomes

Understand this
I want others to see the reality of their situation and the challenges they face