Tryna Make A Life Out Here

The day that I was born, I nearly died
First battle in the war between my fear and pride
Had to spend three months in emergency
It’s like the devil already tryin’ to murder me
I was a tiny boy, size of a baby mouse
Doctors wondered how the hell I ever made it outWonder whether the Lord took ‘im a risk
Maybe Avivah’s baby really shouldn’t exist, huh?
Well if my life got the makings of a miracle?
Reckon it’s only one way that we can really know.
‘Cause if you tryin’ to grow towards the light
You gotta suit up as a soldier for the fight
Do everything in your power just to rep for the truth
An’ for me? That’s just a matter of letting it loose
You know why? ‘Cause it’s a fire inside the depths of my soul
I was born in the fire! “With fire We test the gold!”
With gold the servants are tested! That’s why I’m learnin’ these lessons
Copin’ with burdens an’ stresses, tryna emerge from this wreckage
Nervous urchin who learned my purpose an’ worldly direction ­
Make my section of earth resemble the mercies of heaven!

Chorus
‘Cause I’m tryna make a life out here!
Tryna make it right out here!
An’ BELIEVE me cousin I don’t give a fuck if I die out here!
Long as I shed some light round here!
Roger that!
I’m tryna make a life out here!
Tryna make it right out here!
An’ BELIEVE me cousin I don’t give a fuck if I die out here!
Long as I shed some light round here!
Holla back!

They said I’d never talk – look at the truth I’m speakin’
Said I’d never walk – I’m rushin’ through to freedom
A vagabond marchin’ forward on a mastodon
Facing fear – the pain searing but I travel on
Ten percenters tryna trap us in this Babylon
That’s why Dr. King, Gandhi, Rabin an’ Sadat are gone
Slaughtered for knowledge – for attempting a change
‘Stead of accepting we destined to be the Devil’s enslaved – but NO!
Fuck that, where that knowledge at?! Gotta get my props to stack!
Chase it like it had the secret to bringin’ my mama back!
Make my lady cherish me come back an’ wanna marry me!
Heal my auntie up, let her survive this chemotherapy!
Gripped by this hurt an’ this needless confusion
Bitch I’m tryna learn what it means to be human!
But how do you even ASK questions of meaning
When ain’t nathan that it makes sense to believe in?!
Shirley I don’t wanna lose you!
You helped to save me from drowning an’ now I’m scared that I’m doomed to!
But somethin’ tellin’ me I’m destined to make it –
That I can do or be anything ­ except for complacent!

Chorus

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