(Verse 1)
Lookin' back at all the history we've gone through
Cause how you celebrate your history is on you
Livin' in the past cause they couldn't see the long view
With so much to look forward to I wouldn't even want to
But yet I understand missin' my past friends
Cause it feels like life was so much simpler back then
Or maybe it's the honest way we were raised
And as we mature it gets more complicated with age
But really it's the same, and that's the greatest of secrets
But may take your first new born baby to see it
Or vicariously take heed to believers
Cause luckily for me I've seen it in each of my Nieces
And Nephews also who blessed my lost soul
Cause when you're involved then the stress just all goes
So stop tryna be so tough
Cause everyone of us could use a hug and needs more love
(Chorus)
I thank the greats cause they paved the road
That I take to engage and embrace my soul
It's the faith which I base my goals
And the way that I've chose since The Days of Old
Until you grow old and it's plain to see
That you had a plate to eat and place to sleep
And a space to keep these are all basic needs
They gave for free and all you had to say was please
(Verse 2)
I've always wanted to offer something and help them if I could
But all that motivation would be better with a push
To transform the stress on your mental that it puts
So forget about your looks and get your head up in them books
I know you've heard it but I'm speakin' from experience
For those who don't believe and disagree with me when hearin' this
I wanna learn until I turn into a man
And the change that I wanna see in the world is who I am
And these lines free your mind like they're designed to do
Cause whether you realize it or not I rhyme for you
It's your decision you can take it or leave it
Even though I know that most will be too fake to receive it
Cause they just don't see it, followin' the trends that he's found
So quick to abandon your only loyal friend when he's down
You gotta challenge the soul within your gut
Cause alone good looks and talent will never be enough
(Chorus)
I thank the greats cause they paved the road
That I take to engage and embrace my soul
It's the faith which I base my goals
And the way that I've chose since The Days of Old
Until you grow old and it's plain to see
That we're judged based on our faith, race, and creed
So we gotta tame the beast as we aim for peace
But turns out the first thing I had to change was me
(Verse 3)
No man has authority over another man
And why someone would think they do I'll never understand
From the worst day in winter to the nicest day of summer
From skin with darker pigment to the lighter shades amongst us
There's gotta be more people we could spike to raise the numbers
Against these politicians actin' like they gave a fuck
Instead of fightin' over colors taking rights away from others
Let's unite a race of brothers through the righteous ways of justice
And create a nation where hate victims are lesser
And racism is severed cause change is for the better
Like rain is for the weather from May into December
We came in this together the same wings of a feather
And instead of pointing fingers to blame you
We fought against the same system we're enslaved to
As all the bonds we thought we made get forced into two
I can't ignore this feeling like there's something more we could do
(Chorus)
I thank the greats cause they paved the road
That I take to engage and embrace my soul
It's the faith which I base my goals
And the way that I've chose since The Days of Old
Until you grow old and it's plain to see
That we're judged based on our faith, race, and creed
So we gotta tame the beast as we aim for peace
But turns out the first thing I had to change was me
Longtime Style P collaborator Fortes serves up instrumental versions of eight of his productions for the New York rapper. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 22, 2020
