Be Somebody
Paula Cole Lyrics

I want to be somebody
The desire to stand out and be recognized as a person of value by others.

I want to make a difference
The aspiration to have a significant impact on the world, to change it for the better.

Little boy caught in a drive-by
A child, a person vulnerable to the actions of others, who was a victim of a violent, senseless crime.

Witnessed the killer who made his daddy die,
The traumatic event that the child experienced in which he saw his father being killed by someone else's hand.

And 'cause he identified and signed the dotted line,
The terrible situation the child was put in when he signed a confession under duress, implicating himself in a crime he didn't commit, which ended up ruining his life.

He could feel it in his stomach, he signed away his life
The sense of hopelessness and despair that the child felt when he realized he had sealed his fate and ruined his future by signing a document.

Little boy who once was the leader of his class
The child, who was once full of promise and leadership potential, but whose life was cruelly cut short.

The little source of joy, always neatly dressed
The memory of a young child who knew how to bring happiness and emotional warmth to those around him in his short life.

Now would hang his head and be left crying at his desk,
The sad reality of a child who felt miserable and powerless after going through a traumatic experience that left him wounded.

Was found with his mother, lying in her lap
The tragic end of a child who could not escape the cycle of violence and ended up being a victim of a brutal crime.

With two bullets in his chest
The cruel and senseless way that the young child's life was taken from him.

Outspoken man, leading sisters and brothers,
A man who was not afraid to speak up and stand up for justice, leading others towards a better way of life.

Picked himself up from hustling,drugs and gutters
A person who managed to overcome difficult circumstances in order to turn his life around and achieve success.

Doing time on the inside, he found a higher power
A person who found redemption and hope while serving time in prison, and was able to rebuild his life after being released.

Now, back with a mission to help us help each other
A person who became dedicated to helping others, especially those who were struggling with the same challenges he had faced.

Respected from bourgeoisie to homeless in the street
A person who was widely respected and admired by all types of people, from wealthy and powerful individuals to those who were struggling to make ends meet.

From universities, Africa, the Middle East
A person whose message had reached all corners of the globe, and who had inspired people from far and wide to follow in his footsteps.

And through the threats of death he spoke truth and set men free
A person who was able to speak truth to power, even in the face of danger, and whose words had a powerful impact on those who heard them.

But the power of the truth made enemies of the weak
A person who faced opposition from those who were threatened by his message of justice and equality.

He was killed by his own people
A tragic end to a life of purpose, in which a person who had made such a profound impact on the world was killed by those who couldn't bear to see him succeed.

Ignite This Fire inside, this light that is the Truth
The call to action for all people to awaken their inner desire to make a positive change in the world, and to follow the path of truth and righteousness.

Shake off the system's chains, no longer be their fool
The imperative to break free from the constraints of the status quo, and to reject the systems of oppression that hold us back from reaching our full potential.

In the face of brutality, show the other cheek
The radical idea that in times of violence and hatred, we should respond with compassion and empathy rather than with more violence.

Trigger-happy policing will never kill our dignity
The determination to resist oppressive systems of power, and to maintain our sense of dignity as human beings even in the face of violence and oppression.

Lift up your heart and See
The message that all of us have an inner light that we can tap into, a deeper sense of meaning and purpose that can guide us towards a better life.

Open your heart and See
The reminder that in order to truly connect with others and with ourselves, we must open ourselves up to vulnerability and trust, and be willing to take risks.

Lift up your voice and Sing...
The encouragement to use our own unique voices and talents to make a positive impact on the world, and to spread joy and love wherever we go.

For we all are children of the Mother
The recognition that we are all interconnected, that we are all part of the same human family, and that we must treat each other with kindness, respect, and love.

For we all are children of the Father
The affirmation that we are all created in the image of a divine creator, and that we are all worthy of love, compassion, and understanding.