Crown
Run The Jewels/Diane Coffee Lyrics

Down with the shame
Rejecting feelings of guilt and inadequacy

Used to walk traps in the rain with cocaine
Once used to roam drug dealing areas while high on cocaine

Used to write raps in the traps as I sat in the rain
Used the trap (drug dealing area) as inspiration to write music

And I prayed that God give me a lane
Asked God for an opportunity to succeed

Give me a lane
Desperately requests a chance to succeed

Give me the fame
Hopes for success in order to gain widespread recognition

Give me the fame and I promise to change
Promises that success will not change values or priorities.

Won't be the same
Will change personal outlook and habits

Won't be the same type of man that puts cocaine in this lady's hand
Determined to abandon the lifestyle that brings pain and suffering to others

Heard she was pregnant, I'm guilty I reckon
Realizing his actions may have hurt another

'Cause I hear that good shit can hurt baby's brain
Acknowledging the harm drugs can cause

Heard he was normal 'til three and then he stopped talkin'
Knowing of the harm drug use can have on children

Since then, ain't nothin been the same
Life has never been the same due to the guilt of causing harm to others

Seen her some years later out in Decatur told her that I'm sorry for causin' her pain
Apologizes to the woman he once hurt

"Causin' me pain?"
Questioning why she is being approached with this apology

"Causin' me pain?"
Asks again her confusion

She asked again and she grabbed my right hand
Surprised at the apology, she expresses her displeasure

Asked "Am I crazy, said look here, baby
Questioning her own sanity after years of carrying anger and resentment

I release you from all of your sins and your shame
Forgives him and frees him from his guilt

'Cause I've been redeemed
Changed for the better and offers redemption and forgiveness

I found in Christ
Found solace and meaning in religion

Whatever it take I hope you find it, Mike"
Wishes the best for him to also find peace of mind and redemption

The look on her face shown that glory replaced all the shame
The woman's expression changes, reflecting forgiveness and redemption

And the hate and that she wears a crown
The woman's newfound peace and forgiveness is portrayed as regal, fitting of a crown

My late grandma Bettie had prayed with her heavy
His grandmother offered prayers for the woman carrying heavy burdens

And told her to tell me lay my burdens down
Advocating forgiveness and letting go of negative emotions

Carried the flag in some other men's name
Being recruited to fight for others without knowing why

Loaded my weapon and swore to them vengeance
Preparing to take violent revenge on behalf of unknown others

And stepped with aggression right into the fray
Entered into the conflict with aggression and anger

Into the haze
Entering a confused and uncertain environment

Into the murk
Chaos and confusion surround the situation

Told me to prove to them what I was worth
Encouraged to prove himself by engaging in violent acts

We'll teach you to move without mercy
Being taught to act without regard for others

And give you the tools to go after the causers of hurt
Encouraged to seek violent retribution against those who caused pain

You'll become death
Encouraged to embrace violence and act as the bringer of death

You will take breath
Told to take away the breaths of others

This is for everything you've ever loved
Encouraged to act out violently on behalf of one's life and loved ones

Use all the pain that you've felt in your life
Using past traumas to motivate committing acts of violence

As the currency go out and trade it for blood
Encouraged to enact revenge on others with violent bloodshed

You are not you
Encouraged to redefine oneself to adopt new, violent persona

You are now us
Being embraced into the group of people for whom violent retribution is the norm

We are the only ones that you can trust
We are your only community and supporters

You'll become fear
Now known for the fear and terror you inspire in others

They'll become dust
Those who have caused pain and suffering will be defeated

Before this moment you didn't mean much
Your lack of success before joining the group makes you feel insignificant

You are the smoldering vessel of punishment born to do nothing but justify us
Your sole purpose in the group is to commit violent acts to justify the group's existence

Give us your empathy we'll give you lust
If you engage in acts of violence on behalf of the group, you will be rewarded with passionate emotions like lust

Let yourself go my son time to grow up
Succumb to the violent tendencies we are teaching you in order to become a full member of the group

Give up your childish obsession with questioning
Stop questioning the violent actions you are being asked to commit

Anything we don't tell you is irrelevant
Only listen to what the group tells you, nothing else matters

Everything you've ever been is replaced
Violent persona replaces everything that once defined you

By the metal and fire of the weapon you clutch
Your identity is now tied to the violence of the weapon you wield

Can't pick up no crown
Unable to take on the regal status of a crown while holding onto negative emotions

Holding what's holding you down
Holding onto negative emotions and experiences is preventing personal growth

Can't pick up no crown
Unable to become truly successful and regal while holding onto negative emotions

Holding what's holding you down
Holding onto negative emotions prevents personal growth and success

Can't pick up no crown, can't pick up no crown
Repeated emphasis that negative emotions hold you back from true success and regality