JAY-Z - Pray(2007)

[00:01.63] Deliver me from my enemies, O' God.
[00:08.17] Defend me from those that rise up against me.
[00:11.65] Deliver me from the work of iniquity.
[00:15.12] Save me from the brethren.
[00:18.22] Look.
[00:19.98] Mind state of a gangster from the '40s.
[00:21.99] Meet the business mind of Motown's Barry Gordey.
[00:24.90] Sorry my jewellery's so Gordie.
[00:26.83] Slid into the party with my new pair of Mauries.
[00:29.06] America, meet the gangster, Shawn Corey.
[00:33.06] Hey, young world, wanna hear a story?
[00:37.99] Close your eyes and you could pretend you're me.
[00:40.42] I'm cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's.
[00:43.08] Frank Sinatra havin' dinner with the Genovese.
[00:45.88] This is the genesis of a nemesis
[00:48.06] Mother America's not witnessed since,
[00:51.03] The Harlem Renaissance birthed black buisnesses.
[00:53.63] This is the tale of lost innocence.
[00:55.84] As the incense burn and the turntables turn and that Al Green plays,
[01:00.57] I see my mother's afro as mama taps her toes as she rose her Js.
[01:05.65] And my poppa just left the house in search of the killer of my uncle, Ray.
[01:10.39] And she's tryna calm my nerves, as I observe.
[01:14.78] This is just one day.
[01:17.34] And what tomorrow has in store,
[01:19.86] We can never be sure so all we can do is
[01:21.50] ...Pray.
[01:22.87] Because of Your strength, while I walked upon Thee.
[01:26.88] For God is my defense.
[01:29.11] Pray for me!
[01:31.67] As I head to my homeroom, I observe the rooms:
[01:34.50] Dope needles on the ground.
[01:36.35] I hear a car go vroom, drug dealer in the BM' with the top down.
[01:40.14] As the girls start to giggle, I ask, "Why you laugh?"
[01:45.05] They say, "You too little.
[01:46.97] One day you'll understand.
[01:49.37] One day you'll become a man, buy things you have to get you."
[01:55.04] Fast-forward, freeze frame: I'm a pistol.
[01:57.17] Fist full of dollars — ignorance is so blissful.
[01:59.37] I didn't choose this life, this life chose me.
[02:00.48] Around here is the shit that you just do.
[02:01.73] I just left school.
[02:03.43] The same BM' is pulled over by the boys dressed blue.
[02:05.68] They have their guns drawn screamin',
[02:08.26] "Just move unless there's something else you suggest we can do."
[02:12.12] He made his way to the trunk, opened it like,
[02:14.87] "Huh?..." A treasure chest was removed.
[02:17.02] Cop said he'll be back next month.
[02:18.76] What we called 'corrupt,' he called 'paying dues.'
[02:22.00] Now when the rules is blurred, as they is you were,
[02:24.98] What am I to do but Pray?
[02:26.83] Pray the Lord forgive me.
[02:29.56] Pray God's been by what I'm about to go through.
[02:31.76] ...Pray.
[02:33.31] Deliver me in Thy righteousness and cause me to escape.
[02:35.59] And climb Thyn heir unto me.
[02:39.63] Save me, O' Lord.
[02:41.62] Pray for me!
[02:42.87] Cheea.
[02:43.62] Anywhere there's o-ppression in the drug profession, flourishes like breverages.
[02:46.93] Refreshin'; ahhh, sweet taste of sin.
[02:49.54] Everything I seen made me everything I am.
[02:52.13] Bad drug dealer or victim, my bag?
[02:55.09] What came first — movin' chickens or the egg?
[02:57.69] This is why I be so fresh.
[02:59.39] I'm tryna beat life 'cause I can't cheat death.
[03:02.36] 'Preciate the shamelessness and stainlesses that aim this is.
[03:07.26] You know the game this is.
[03:09.13] Move coke like Pepsi, don't matter what the brand name is.
[03:12.04] ...I stand behind mine.
[03:15.24] Everything I do I'm a man behind mine.
[03:17.32] I'm not an angel I'm sure, but every night before I lay,
[03:21.47] I drop my knees to the floor and I Pray.
[03:23.68] The name shall endure forever.
[03:28.10] The name shall be continued as long as the Son.
[03:31.44] Pray for me!
[03:33.80] Men shall be blessed in Him.
[03:35.77] All nations shall call Him blessed.
[03:38.86] In Your name I Pray.
[03:41.57] Pray for me!
[03:43.37] Lord bless Him.
[03:53.83]