Don't Cry
Outlawz Lyrics

Baby don't cry
Encouragement to stay strong and not let the hardships of life break you down.

I hope you got your head up
Encouragement to maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life.

Even when the road is hard, never give up
Encouragement to persevere through difficulties and challenges.

Now here's a story 'bout a woman with dreams
Introduction to a narrative about a young woman with aspirations and goals.

So picture perfect at thirteen, an ebony queen
Description of the artist's physical appearance - a beautiful black girl at the age of thirteen.

Beneath the surface it was more than just a crooked smile
The singer's beautiful appearance hid a deeper pain or trauma.

Nobody knew about her secret so it took a while
The singer kept her pain hidden from others, making it difficult for anyone to help her.

I could see a tear fall slow down her black cheek
Narrator's observation of a moment of vulnerability in the artist.

Sheddin' quiet tears in the back seat
The artist is crying silently, hidden from others in the back seat of a car.

So when she asked me: "What would you do if it was you?"
The artist seeks advice from the artist about how to deal with her troubles.

Couldn't answer such a horrible pain to live through
The singer is unable to offer any meaningful advice or comfort due to the severity of the singer's situation.

I tried to trade places in the tragedy
The artist expressed his empathy by imagining himself in the artist's place.

I couldn't picture three crazed niggas grabbin' me
The singer is unable to fully comprehend the horrors that the singer has suffered.

For just a moment I was trapped in the pain
The singer's imagination of the singer's struggle brought him into the same emotional turmoil as the singer.

Lord, come and take me
The singer expresses his desperation for escape from the pain and trauma he was imagining.

Four niggas violated
The cause of the artist's troubles is revealed.

They chased, and they raped me
The artist imagines the trauma that the artist suffered - a gang rape.

Even though it wasn't me, I could feel the grief
The singer expresses his empathy and emotional connection to the singer's experience despite it not being his own.

Thinkin' with your brains blown that would make the pain go
The singer suggests that the perpetrator's violence will not ultimately solve their own pain or problems.

No! You got to find a way to survive
The artist offers advice to the artist, to find a way to live on despite the trauma and pain.

'Cause they win when your soul dies
The artist suggests that the perpetrators will triumph if they succeed in breaking the artist's spirit or will to live.

Forget him, girl, (forget him, girl) he ain't gon' never change
Advice to a woman in an unhealthy or abusive relationship - to forget and leave her partner who will not change his behavior.

I ain't no hater, but that nigga lost in the game
The singer does not hate the man in question, but instead pities or scorns him for his poor choices and lifestyle.

After the bright lights and big thangs
The artist suggests that the man in question was once successful or had wealth but now has nothing to offer.

He probably could love you, but he in love with the struggle
The singer suggests that the man in question could love the woman in question, but instead chooses to focus on his own struggles or pleasures.

Everyday, his mind on gettin mo' (gettin' mo')
The man in question is focused constantly on earning more money or wealth.

And never your feelings, he's chasin' millions fo' sho'
The singer suggests that the man in question is too focused on his own financial goals and does not prioritize the well-being or feelings of others, including his partner.

Uh oh (uh oh), now you 'bout to have his baby? (damn)
Narrator's expression of shock and concern that the woman in question is about to have a child with such an unfit partner.

Another wild-ass nigga that's gon' drive you crazy
The artist predicts that the man's behavior will only cause further pain and turmoil for the woman in question.

You got too much mo' livin' to do
The singer encourages the woman in question to prioritize her own life, goals, and well-being.

I'm spittin' this to you (that's right)
The singer is speaking honestly and directly to the woman, offering advice and guidance.

Cause you deserve more than what he givin' to you (that's right)
The artist affirms that the woman deserves better than what her partner has to offer.

Beautiful, black, precious, and complicated
Description of the woman in question - beautiful, black, and complex.

A new millennium dime-piece, so fine she
The artist praises the woman in question as a stunning example of beauty and elegance.

Got 'em all stuck, standin' still when she come through
The woman in question's beauty causes others to pause and take notice when she enters a room.

Baby, take a little mo' time
The artist encourages the woman to take more time to find the right partner and not settle for someone who will not treat her right.

Love'll find you and show us the sky's blue
The singer is expressing hope that the woman will find love that will help her feel happier and brighter, like a clear blue sky.

Somebody other than me gon' give you everything you need, feel me? (Don't cry)
The singer suggests that someone else will come into the woman's life who will offer her what she needs, and reminds her not to lose hope or cry.

I'm tryin' to do all that I can, from jump
The singer is doing the best he can to support and encourage the woman, right from the start.

Now you losin', you was choosin' the wrong man
The artist suggests that the woman is losing in life because she chose the wrong partner.

Dealt the wrong hand, you was young and beautiful
The artist suggests that the woman did not have a fair chance in life, especially considering her youth and beauty.

Lost and turned out, what you let that nigga do to you? (Damn)
The singer expresses disappointment and surprise that the woman allowed the harmful behavior of her partner to happen.

I knew her since elementary, she blew a kiss to me
The singer has known the woman since they were young children, and she showed affection towards him at a young age.

Wrote me a note in crayon, wantin' to get with me
The woman once expressed a desire to be in a romantic relationship with the artist, when they were young.

We was kids, now she got three kids
The woman in question has three children now, having grown up and started her own family.

They see their father e'ryday, and they don't know who he is
The children in question do not know who their biological father is, despite seeing him every day.

Seen him last night, homey roll a E-class
The singer saw the woman's partner recently, driving an expensive car.

Mad cheese in the stash, still a deadbeat dad
Despite having wealth or riches, the man in question is still a neglectful or absent parent.

I bring her Pampers and food, just to stop through
The singer occasionally brings the woman in question practical items, such as diapers or food, just to visit and offer support.

But those ain't my seeds, nothin' really I could do (nah)
The singer acknowledges that the children in question are not his own, and he cannot fix or control their situation.

I feel pity for you, you ain't even his wife
The singer expresses sympathy for the woman in question, who is not even legally married to her neglectful partner.

Seventeen with three kids
The artist describes the woman in question as having three children at the young age of seventeen.

Locked down for life
The artist suggests that the woman's situation will not change - she will be tied down to raising children forever.

Shoulda chose me
The singer suggests that the woman in question should have chosen him as a partner instead, implying that he would treat her better.

She 'bout to O.D. from the pressure
The woman in question is under so much stress and pressure that she is at risk of overdosing on drugs or substances.

Hell nah, I won't let her
The artist expresses his determination to help the woman in question and prevent her from overdosing or self-harming.

For all the ladies (Soulshock, Karlin)
A brief shoutout or dedication to all women.

Got to keep your head up {keep your head up}
Reinforcement of the message that people should remain optimistic and determined despite life's challenges.

Makaveli the Don (Head up)
A reference to Tupac Shakur, who performed under the stage name Makaveli and was known for songs that encouraged perseverance in the face of adversity.