If I Ruled The World feat. Lauryn Hill
Nas Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Life
I wonder
Will it take me under
I don't know

Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harassin'
Imagine going to court with no trial
Lifestyle, cruising blue Bahama waters
No welfare supporters, more conscious of the way we raise our daughters
Days are shorter, nights are colder
Feeling like life is over, these snakes strike like a cobra
The world's hot, my son got knocked
Evidently, it's elementary, they want us all gone eventually
Troopin' out of state for a plate of knowledge
If coke was cooked without the garbage, we'd all have the top dollars
Imagine everybody flashin' fashion, designer clothes
Lacing your clique up with diamond Roles
Your people holdin' dough, no parole, no rubbers
Go in raw, imagine law with no undercovers
Just some thoughts for the mind
I take a glimpse into time
Watch the blimp read, "The World Is Mine"

If I ruled the world (imagine that)
I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby
Black diamonds and pearls
(Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine)
If I ruled the world
(Still livin' for today, in these last days and times)

Yo, it'd be, paradise life, relaxin'
Black, Latino and Anglo-Saxon
Armani Exchange, the Range
Cash, Lost Tribe of Shabazz free at last
Brand new whips to crash, then we laugh in a iller path
The Villa house is for the crew, how we do
Trees for breakfast, dime sexes and Benz stretches
So many years of depression make me vision
The better livin', type of place to raise kids in
Open they eyes to the lies, history's told foul
But I'm as wise as the old owl, plus the Gold Child
Seeing things like I was controlling, clique rollin'
Trickin' six digits on kicks and still holdin'
Trips to Paris, I'd civilize every savage
Give one shot, I turn trife life to lavish
Political prisoners set free, stress free
No work release, purple M3's and jet skis
Feel the wind breeze in West Indies
I'd let Coretta Scott-King mayor the cities and reverse fiends to Willies
It sounds foul, but every girl I meet'd go downtown
I'd open every cell in Attica, send 'em to Africa

If I ruled the world (imagine that)
I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby
Black diamonds and pearls
(Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine)
If I ruled the world
(Still livin' for today, in these last days and times)

And then we'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand
We'll walk right up to the sun, we won't land
We'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand
We'll walk right up to the sun, we won't land

You love to hear the story how the thugs live in worry
Duck down in car seats, heat's mandatory
Runnin' from Jake, gettin' chased, hunger for papes
These are the breaks, many mistakes go down out of state
Wait, I had to let it marinate, we carry weight
Tryna get laced, flip the ace, stack the safe
Millionaire plan to keep the gat with the cocked hammer
Makin' moves in Atlanta, back and forth scrambler
'Cause you could have all the chips, be poor or rich
Still nobody want a nigga havin' shit
If I ruled the world and everything in it, sky's the limit
I push the Q-45 Infinit'
It wouldn't be no such thing as jealousies, or B felony
Strictly living longevity to the destiny
I thought I'd never see, but reality struck
Better find out before your time's out, what the fuck

If I ruled the world (imagine that)
I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby
Black diamonds and pearls
(Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine)
If I ruled the world
(Still livin' for today, in these last days and times)
If I ruled the world, if I ruled, if I ruled (imagine that)
I'd free all my sons, if I ruled, if I ruled
I love 'em, love 'em, baby
Black diamonds and pearls, black diamonds, black diamonds
(Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd both shine)
If I ruled the world
(Still livin' for today, in these last days and times)

If I ruled the world, if I ruled, if I ruled
I'd free all my sons, black diamonds
I love 'em, love 'em, baby
Black diamonds and pearls, if I ruled
If I ruled the world




If I ruled the world
I love 'em, love 'em, baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nas feat Marsha Ambrosious's song If I Ruled The World ‘09 express the rapper's desire to imagine a better place to live in without oppression and inequality. Nas paints a picture of a world where people can smoke weed in the streets and go to court without a trial, where there is no poverty or welfare support, where everyone is conscious about the way they raise their daughters, and where those in power have a complete understanding of the history of oppression that has created such inequality. At the same time, the song acknowledges the reality that life in the present is not perfect and many people are struggling. The song expresses the belief that things can be better and that we need to work together to create a better world for everyone.


The song expresses Nas's desire to create a world where people can live their lives without fear of persecution, where everyone has equal opportunities and where nobody is left behind. The lyrics also express Nas's opinion on the state of the world, and his belief that we can do better if only we work together towards a common goal. The song expresses the desire to create a world that is inclusive, diverse, and compassionate.


Line by Line Meaning

Life, I wonder
I am curious about the nature of life


Will it take me under, I don't know
I am unsure if life will defeat me


Imagine smokin' weed in the streets without cops harassin'
Imagine a world where people can smoke marijuana in public without fear of arrest or persecution


Imagine goin' to court with no trial
Imagine a world where people are not unfairly prosecuted without a fair trial


Lifestyle cruisin' blue behind my waters, no welfare supporters
I live a luxurious lifestyle and do not need government assistance


More conscious of the way we raise our daughters
We need to be more mindful of how we raise our daughters


Days are shorter, nights are colder
Life feels bleak and depressing


Feelin' like life is over, these snakes strike like a cobra
Life is full of unexpected dangers that can destroy it quickly


The world's hot, my son got not evidently
The world is a difficult and unforgiving place, and even my children are not exempt from its challenges


It's elementary, they want us all gone eventually
It is obvious that some forces want to destroy us all eventually


Troopin' out of state for a plate knowledge
Traveling far to learn something valuable


Of coke was cooked without the garbage, we'd all have the top dollars
If drugs were made more carefully, they would be more expensive and profitable


Imagine everybody flashin', fashion
Imagine a world where everyone is wealthy and fashionable


Designer clothes, lacin' your click up with diamond vogues
Wearing expensive clothes and diamonds with one's friends


Your people holdin' dough, no parole
Your friends and associates have money and are not in prison


No rubbers, go in raw, imagine law with no undercovers
Imagine a world where there is no risk of sexually transmitted infections and where law enforcement is honest and transparent


Just some thoughts for the mind, I take a glimpse into time
These are just my musings that reflect insight into the past and potential future


Watch the blimp read 'The World Is Mine'
I have a feeling of power and control over the world


If I ruled the world, imagine that
If I were the ruler of the world, just imagine


I'd free all my sons, I love 'em, love 'em, baby
I would release all prisoners, including my loved ones


Black diamonds an' pearls, could it be
Imagine a world where black diamonds and pearls are common


If you could be mine, we'd both shine?
If you were with me, we would both prosper and shine


Still livin' for today
We should live in the present


In these last days an' times
We are currently living in tumultuous times


The way to be, paradise like relaxin' black
The ideal way to live is to be carefree and relaxed


Latino an' Anglo-Saxon, Armani exchange the reins
People of different cultures can share power and wealth


Cash, Lost Tribe of Shabazz, free at last
All people should have financial freedom


Brand new whips to crash, then we laugh in the iller path
We can afford to buy new cars and laugh when we get into accidents


The Villa house is for the crew, how we do
We have a luxurious villa reserved for our group of friends


Trees for breakfast, dime sexes an' Benz stretches
We can choose to do whatever we want, including having sex and driving expensive cars


So many years of depression make me vision
My past struggles have led me to have a clear idea of what I want


The better livin', type of place to raise kids in
We need a better world for our children to grow up in


Open they eyes to the lies history's told, foul
We need to teach our children to critically examine the misinformation in history books


But I'm as wise as the old owl, plus the Gold Child
I have the knowledge of an ancient owl and the potential to achieve greatness


Seein' things like I was controllin', click rollin'
I feel like I have complete control over the situation and my group of friends are with me


Trickin' six digits on kicks an' still holdin'
Spending a lot of money on shoes and still being financially secure


Trips to Paris, I civilized every savage
Traveling to Paris makes me feel sophisticated and worldly


Gimme one shot I turn trife life to lavish
I can turn a life of crime into a life of luxury with one opportunity


Political prisoner set free, stress free
Freeing political prisoners would be a great relief


No work, release purple M3's an' jet skis
Enjoying life by owning luxury cars and jet skis without having to work


Feel the wind breeze in West Indies
Enjoying the pleasant climate and location of the West Indies


I make Coretta Scott-King mayor the cities
I would elect Coretta Scott-King as the mayor of all cities


An' reverse themes to Willies
Turning negatives into positives


It sounds foul but every girl I meet to go downtown
I have sexual desires, and I want to fulfill them with multiple women


I'd open every cell in Attica, send 'em to Africa
I would release all the prisoners from Attica and send them to Africa


An' then we'll walk right up to the sun
We will aim high and not be held back by anything


Hand in hand
Together


We'll walk right up to the sun
We will succeed in our endeavors


We won't land
We will not give up or fail


You'd love to hear the story how the thugs live in worry
You are curious about the lives of gangsters and their struggles


Duck down in car seats, heat's mandatory
Having to hide from the police and carrying firearms is necessary for survival


Runnin' from jake, gettin' chased, hunger for papes
Fleeing the police and seeking money to survive


These are the breaks, many mistakes go down out of state
These are the circumstances of life, and mistakes often lead to legal trouble


Wait, I had to let it marinate, we carry weight
Let me think about this for a while. We have heavy burdens to bear


Tryin' to get laced, flip the ace, stack the safe
Trying to become wealthy by acquiring drugs, gambling, and saving money


Millionaire plan to keep the gat with the cop camera
A plan to become a millionaire by stealing a police camera


Makin' moves in Atlanta, back an' forth scrambler
Traveling to Atlanta to do illegal business


'Cause you could have all the chips, be poor or rich
Money does not necessarily guarantee happiness or success


Still nobody want a nigga havin' shit
People do not want to see a black man prosper


If I ruled the world an' everythin' in it, sky's the limit
If I were in charge of the world, there would be no limit to what we could achieve


I push a Q-45 infinite
I drive an expensive, luxurious car


It wouldn't be no such thing as jealousies or be Felonies
There would be no crimes of passion or major crimes


Strictly livin' longevity to the destiny
Living a long and prosperous life by fulfilling our fate


I thought I'd never see but reality struck
Something that I never thought would happen has finally happened


Better find out before your time's out, what the fuck?
You better figure out what you want in life before you run out of time




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Cloud9
Written by: Samuel J. Barnes, Allan Wayne Felder, Norman Ray Harris, Jalil Hutchins, Nasir Jones, Aaron O'Bryant, Jean Claude Olivier, David Franklin Reeves, Lawrence Smith, Kurtis Walker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@spike6985

I wish we could go back to this era of Hip Hop

@Matt_and_stuff

D4RK what is hip hop

@kellympinda4723

FACTS

@sirflooowsn4941

Go back to this erea of time... 90‘ best century to life 👍👌 ... said a german 😉

@Rapmaneasteregg

It was the best

@mr.e695

WOrd!!
✌️

509 More Replies...

@vladtheinhaler8754

Lauryn Hill is honestly one of the most remarkable artists to have set foot on this planet, she just goes so well with any beat and any rapper. Nas is easily one if the best rappers from this era no doubt.

@patriciasmith8756

This was the best of the best. NAS was on point

@vonbee22

Real talk !!!!

@deneenreed2019

Facts!!!

More Comments

More Versions