now to understand the struggle
to understand paying dues
and the pain of my people and your people
all around the globe
you gotta feel me
listen to the music--use it
what you know about juggling jobs and struggling hard and chasing dreams
what you know about having no car and rent being due and no bling bling
what you know about sacrificing all your wants for all your needs
what you know about loving your child
just to find out it ain't your seed
until you know my joy
know my pain
and know my struggles
until you've walked these shoes
paid my dues
and felt my troubles
until you've shared my tears
known my fears
in all my years
only till then
you only know what you think you know
what you know about hittin that block and dodging them cops to make ends meet
what you know about the lights being off
the gas being off and no food to eat
what you know about goodwill clothes
while all your friends dressed fly in junior high
what you know about grandma's words when she said one day
boy
you're gonna shine
until you know my joy
know my pain
and know my struggles
until you've walked these shoes
paid my dues
and felt my troubles
until you've shared my tears
known my fears
in all my years
only till then
you only know what you think you know
what you know about writing late at night
by candlelight till the shit is tight
what you know about late night prayers
and late night tears
hoping god
what you know about earning your keep
because you don't bend
break
or ask
don't you know the last'll be first and the first will be last
until you know my joy
know my pain
and know my struggles
until you've walked these shoes
paid my dues
and felt my troubles
until you've shared my tears
known my fears
in all my years
only till then
you only know what you think you know