Pray
Royce Da 5′9″ Lyrics

God taketh away, and God giveth
Life is full of ups and downs, but ultimately it's all in God's hands

The clock's tickin' away as the plot thickens today
Time is running out and things are getting more intense

Cause I'm sippin' hard liquor
I'm dealing with my problems by drowning them in alcohol

We couldn't suffer the same amount of losses
Our experiences and situations are unique and can't be compared

Cause my supply's bigger
I have more resources and advantages than others

Don't associate me with nothin' but that dopest child star shit
Don't compare me to anyone, I'm unique and successful in my own way

That Lindsey Lo', that Todd Bridges
Don't compare me to troubled or problematic celebrities

Hit your block with a tickin' bomb that'll
My talent and success will come as a surprise and disrupt the competition

Leave the competition in hospital
I'll leave the competition damaged and defeated

I'm the product of foolish pride
My success is a result of taking risks and being confident, sometimes foolishly so

I'm a speeding bullet who responds to the pull of God's trigger
I'm unstoppable and my success comes from a higher power

Jumpin' out the barrel, like "Excuse me, Nas, move aside, Jigga"
I'm ready to take over the rap game and surpass even the biggest names

I'm hard as proving ground bricks
I'm tough and resilient, like bricks used for military training

Groundbreaking each time I spit words and they hit the street
My music is groundbreaking and influential

You don't like the game, you can google my dick, bitch
If you don't respect my talent, you can search for my online presence and see how much people do

I pray for foes, I pray for hoes
I pray for everyone, even my enemies and those society deems unworthy

But you can pray for them
If you want to pray for someone, there are others who need it more than me

Pray for Paris, pray for Nigeria, pray for peace
Pray for those affected by terrorism and violence around the world

Pray for your marriage
Pray for the success and stability of your own relationships

Pray your horse don't sway far away from your carriage
Pray that you don't lose what you have and that your circumstances remain favorable

Why you put all your eggs in one basket?
Why are you risking everything for one thing without a backup plan?

Blowin' dumb cash on Wraiths and karats
Wasting money on expensive cars and jewelry is foolish

Your daughter ain't an heiress, I hope she's taken care of
You shouldn't rely on your children to inherit wealth, but rather prioritize their wellbeing

More importantly, I hope this gun in your face don't end up in your mouth
I hope you don't suffer the consequences of your actions

I'll make you taste the terror of the kickback of this gat that could break the barrel
I'll use my weapon to intimidate and harm you

More court cases, hate betrayal
Violence and conflict only lead to more legal battles and resentment

If I approach thee, boy, please take me serious
Don't underestimate me or doubt my intentions

Cause if I say that I shall, I shall proceed
I'm determined and committed to my goals and promises

I don't cry wolf cause I don't enjoy wasting tears any more than I enjoy wasting shells
I don't make false alarms or threats, because I don't like to waste time or resources

I looked at the state of my health and asked the reverend 'bout it
I reflected on my physical and spiritual wellbeing and sought guidance

Look around, look around, look around, look around
Pay attention to the world and the problems it faces

I'm seeing children being murdered by police and then acquitted on all charges
I'm witnessing systemic racism and police brutality

It's like they're all targets, pray for them
They are vulnerable and need our support and protection

Live from the gutter, my father's a drugger
I come from a rough background and have suffered from addiction and poverty

The block is my mother, 2Pac got it on lock in my suburb
My community is like a family and we identify with prominent rap figures

I got dope double-wrapped up in bubble wrap on top of my cupboard
I have drugs hidden and stored for personal use or sale

Old ladies watching from shutters
My activities and behaviors are being monitored and judged by others in my neighborhood

Tellin' all the children keep watching out for us
My actions influence and impact the younger generation

Bad influences, we the gumbo that you see inside the pot
We are a mixture of negative influences and behaviors, like a spicy and intense stew

Swimming 'round in all the saddest, truer shit
We are immersed in the harsh realities and struggles of life

Attic in the coolest whip
I have stashed drugs or other illicit items in my car

Riding 'round my city lookin' for the baddest newest bitch
I prioritize finding and impressing attractive women

Hammer in my stash, feeling too legit
I have a weapon hidden for protection or violence and feel confident and powerful

90 on the dash, slammin' on the gas
I'm speeding recklessly and dangerously

Passenger mad, saying that the brake pedal do exist
My reckless driving is causing concern and fear in others

I'm saying "I'm late man, I got school to skip"
I'm prioritizing my own desires and pleasures over responsibility and education

Introduce me to your chick, I turn this shit to a Skip to My Lou assist
I can easily charm and win over women

I don't talk too much shit, I discuss shit by throwing hands
I prefer to use violence and physical force to solve problems

I'm a sucker for hoes in yoga pants
I'm attracted to women who dress provocatively

Tell my queen I'm in this shit, like kissing and holding hands
I want my romantic partner to know that I'm deeply involved in my lifestyle and activities

I keep my flings on the other end of a string with swollen glass
I have casual relationships with women, but keep them at a distance and don't get too attached

I'm a player, I've been to every hotel and every lobby
I have a reputation for being promiscuous and have slept with many women

Every time I pray, I send up a prayer for everybody
I believe in the power of prayer and hope for the wellbeing of everyone

Pray for respect
Pray for mutual understanding and appreciation in relationships

Pray to get something different from rich and away from your debt
Pray for financial stability and a way out of debt

Nigga, I'm straight to cassette
My music is classic and timeless, like old cassette tapes

Y'all digital, y'all about as physical as finger under some balls, coughin' while taking a test
You rely too much on technology and lack physical presence and impact

Too many artists get mistaken with best
Talent and success are not always the same thing, and many artists are overrated

Cause they on the charts, you sleepin' on me, I'll come and wake you to death
Just because someone is popular doesn't mean they're better, and I'm here to prove it

While I pray against all the violence and shootin'
I hope for an end to gun violence and mass shootings

ISIS got Obama sittin' down with Vladimir Putin
International conflicts require diplomacy and negotiation, but can be difficult to resolve

A saw a child online ask his father "Why did they do this?"
Some events are too complex and troubling for children to understand

His father then replied to him, "We gotta fight 'em with flowers growing out the ground"
Peace and nonviolence are the most effective ways to oppose violence and terrorism

I look at violence the same way I look at slavery
Both violence and slavery are atrocities and need to be eradicated

It's never ending in light of abolishment
The effects and legacy of slavery and violence continue to be felt even after their abolition

These are my finest hours, then
Speaking out against violence and advocating for peace is my greatest accomplishment