The Light
Nas/Common Lyrics

I never knew a luh, luh-luh, a love like this
I never experienced a love like this before

Gotta be something for me to write this
This love is so special that it inspired me to write about it

Queen, I ain't seen you in a minute
It's been a while since I saw you

Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it
I wrote this letter for you and finally felt ready to send it

Signed sealed delivered for us to grow together
I sealed and sent this letter with the hope that we can build a future together

Love has no limit, let's spend it slow forever
Our love has no boundaries and let's take our time with it

I know your heart is weathered by what studs did to you
I understand that you have been hurt before by other men

I ain't gon' assault em cause I probably did it too
I won't blame them because I have probably caused you pain as well

Because of you, feelings I handle with care
You have taught me to handle my feelings with caution and tenderness

Some niggas recognize the light but they can't handle the glare
Some men can see the goodness in you, but are unable to handle it

You know I ain't the type to walk around with matching shirts
I'm not the type of person to wear clothes that match with my partner

If relationship is effort I will match your work
If maintaining a relationship requires effort, I will do my best to put in the same amount of effort as you

I want to be the one to make you happiest and hurt you the most
I want to be your source of happiness and also your source of pain (in a good way)

They say the end is near, it's important that we close
People say that the end of the world is near, so it's important for us to spend time together and make the most of it

To the most, high
To God (a common phrase used to show reverence to a higher power)

Regardless of what happen on him let's rely
No matter what happens, let's trust in God

There are times, when you'll need someone
There will be times when you will need someone to lean on

I will be by your side
I will always be there for you

There is a light, that shines
There is a special quality in you that shines brightly

Special for you, and me
That special quality exists between us and is unique to our relationship

Yo, yo, check it
Hey, listen up

It's important, we communicate
It's crucial for us to communicate well with each other

And tune the fate of this union, to the right pitch
We should work together to make our relationship successful

I never call you my bitch or even my boo
I don't refer to you in derogatory terms like 'bitch' or even a nickname like 'boo'

There's so much in a name and so much more in you
Your identity and worth as a person is more than just a name or nickname

Few understand the union of woman and man
Not many people truly understand the dynamics of a romantic relationship between a man and a woman

And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land
Some people believe that sexual attraction is the only important part of a romantic relationship

But that's fly by night for you and the sky I write
But you and I know that true love is more than just physical attraction

For in these cold Chi night's moon, you my light
You are my source of warmth and comfort in the cold Chicago nights

If heaven had a height, you would be that tall
You are so wonderful that you could reach the highest height of heaven

Ghetto to coffee shop, through you I see that all
I have seen different aspects of life with you, from the tough ghetto to a relaxed coffee shop, and appreciate our experiences together

Let's stick to understanding and we won't fall
If we keep trying to understand each other, our relationship won't fail

For better or worse times, I hope to me you call
No matter what happens, I hope you will turn to me for support and guidance

So I pray every day more than anything
I pray every day, more than anything else in the world

Friends will stay as we begin to lay
As we start building our relationship, I hope we can still maintain our friendship

This foundation for a family, love ain't simple
We are laying the groundwork for a future family, and love is not an easy thing to navigate

Why can't it be anything worth having you work at annually
Why can't love be something worth working on and investing in every year?

Granted we known each other for some time
We have known each other for a while now

It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine
It's easy to recognize something good and positive, like sunshine, without a lot of time

It's kind of fresh you listen to more than hip-hop
It's cool that you listen to music outside of just hip-hop

And I can catch you in the mix from beauty to thrift shop
I appreciate that you have diverse interests, from beauty products to thrift shopping

Plus you shit pop when it's time to, thinking you fresh
You know how to dress and look good when the occasion calls for it

Suggesting beats I should rhyme to
You even suggest beats for me to use when I'm writing music

At times when I'm lost I try to find you
When I feel lost, I try to look for guidance and comfort from you

You know to give me space when it's time to
You understand that sometimes I need personal space and respect that

My heart's dictionary defines you, it's love and happiness
In my heart, you are defined as love and happiness

Truthfully it's hard trying to practice abstinence
Honestly, it's difficult to refrain from sexual activities

The time we committed love it was real good
The times we spent together, committed to our relationship, were very special

Had to be for me to arrive and it still feel good
Our relationship had to feel good for me to want to stay committed, and it still does

I know the sex ain't gon' keep you, but as my equal
I know that sex isn't the only thing that keeps you interested in me, and I see you as my equal

It's how I must treat you
That's how I should treat you, with respect and as an equal

As my reflection in light I'mma lead you
As you see yourself in my love, I will guide you and lead you

And whatever's right, I'mma feed you
I will provide for you and support you, as long as it's the right thing to do

Digga-da, digga-da, digga-da, digga-digga-da-da
Nonsensical vocalization, possibly as a musical interlude

Yo I tell you the rest when I see you, peace
I'll explain everything else when I see you, goodbye for now

(I'll) take my chances before they pass
I'll take the opportunity now before it's too late

Pass me by, oh darling
Don't let the chance for love slip away

You need to look at the other side
You should consider the other possibilities

You'll agree
Once you see things from a different perspective, you'll understand