I Got Bars
Raekwon Lyrics

The greatest thing a kid could have
Growing up surrounded by family is the best thing a child could ask for.

To chill with his family, sit back layin on his Dad
Spending time with family, relaxing and laying on a father's chest brings a sense of comfort.

Props go out, next thing you know Pops roll out
Soon after receiving praise, the father unexpectedly leaves the family.

Moms cussed him out, get the fuck out
The mother angrily confronts the father, telling him to leave the house.

Couldn't understand it, feelings turnin to hard granite
The child couldn't understand the situation and his emotions became as hard as stone.

Now she a one single parent
The mother becomes a single parent as a result of the father's departure.

Growin up on welfare, she might need healthcare
As a result of being on welfare, the mother may be in need of healthcare assistance.

That made me feel no one else cares
The situation made the child feel like nobody else cared about their family's well-being.

Moms is a part of my life forever
The mother will always be a part of the child's life.

Gettin drunk that's her business guess that's stormy weather
The mother's drinking is her own business and is a source of disturbance.

Fish and grits, twelve o' clock midnight pissed
The child recalls a time when they ate fish and grits at midnight while the mother was upset.

Stop cryin Ma take a kiss
The child comforts the mother by giving her a kiss and telling her not to cry.

Take care of ya brother and sis
The mother tells the child to take care of their siblings in case anything happens to her.

Something happen to me I miss ya better be office (official)
The mother warns the child that if anything happens to her, they need to make it official and take care of things.

She meant that shit, every mouthful accurate
The mother's words were sincere and true.

Took me to school be emasculate
The mother took the child to school and made sure they were educated properly.

Taught by the best, remember stress
The mother was the best teacher and helped the child during stressful situations.

A ghetto agenda that's how we rest
Living in a poor neighborhood brought about certain hardships but also brought together family members for support.

Don't let 'em play with your emotions
The child is advised not to let others manipulate their emotions.

Lotioning me, little money in my vest
The mother was always there to apply lotion and moisturizer on her child even when they didn't have much money.

Damn, Mom going through it
The child expresses sympathy for the mother's difficult circumstances.

Still holding me through it
Despite her own problems, the mother still supports and comforts her child.

Sneaker money fucked up
The child's savings for new sneakers are now gone or inadequate.

Yo, Yeah when Granddaddy died
The child remembers when their grandfather passed away.

I know you didn't see me cry
The child tries to hide their emotions from the mother to lessen her own pain.

Held it in, it hurted Ma a lot
The mother knows her child is holding back emotions and it causes her pain.

Remember, Bucs had me in a tux
The child remembers wearing a tuxedo to an event.

Went to beef stake Charlie's had my first pay cut
The child reminisces about their first job, where they received their first pay cut from Beef Steak Charlie's restaurant.

Yeah, lovin you always screamin on janitors in hallways
The child expresses love for the mother, who would yell at janitors for not properly cleaning the school hallways.

It's my son always
The mother will always love and care for her child.

Caught me in the crib yo, smokin
The mother caught her child smoking in the house.

Sat me down heart broken, hopin the phase had me open yo
The mother sat the child down, feeling sad and hoping that their child's smoking was just a phase.

You like, hey yo, for real you like lovin you for life it's only right
The child expresses love for their mother, acknowledging that she will always be a part of their life.

Strong yourself we make it
The mother encourages her child to be strong because they will overcome any obstacle together.

Weak minded you naked
The mother warns the child that they need to be strong-willed or they will be vulnerable and exposed to negativity.

The pain and hurt i can't take it
The child expresses their own pain and hurt, which the mother cannot bear to see.

Plus my Uncle in jail
The child's uncle is in prison.

That's your brother go see him, he look forward to it like mail
The mother tells the child to visit their uncle in prison because he eagerly anticipates their visits like receiving mail.

You my ace, you the lady in the place
The child proclaims that the mother is their best friend and the most important person in their life.

You ain't a waste, we just trapped inside a low-life place
The child tells the mother that she is not a waste of space, despite them living in a poor neighborhood with limited opportunities.

Trust me I'm gonna work hard
The child promises to work hard and make a better life for the family.

Tatto my body, throw it on top where i got scars
The child expresses a desire to get a tattoo of the mother's name on top of their scars to show her how much they love and appreciate her.

See it son, start cryin (Singing)
The mother sees her child's love and appreciation, which causes the child to become emotional and cry.