Benediction

Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dyin' all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginnin' When the world wasn't listenin' Now that I got your attention Let us in with the benediction We are gathered here today Paying our respects to bein' broke, hope he's in a better place 'Cause life out here ain't sweet, oh no I would close my eyes to sleep but didn't dream no more So I had to make a way for my home, you know Now I'm in a place where I ain't gotta scheme no more The good life, I'm done with the hood life I did what I could but didn't always do what I should and I was misunderstood So many nights I tried To hide how I felt, I would cry inside And I ran through the streets till my feet got tired 'Cause I ain't wanna have my shoes on them power lines But I made it, and it made me I know I did wrong, I prayed to God he forgave me 'Cause I made it, and it didn't kill me So it made me stronger, I pray to God that you feel me, that you feel me Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dyin' all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginnin' When the world wasn't listenin' Now that I got your attention Let us in with the benediction Our father who art in heaven I pray you free me from my demons and keep me level I know you kept my out of prison where I was headin' When I heard someone killed my brother, one-eighty-seven I hope he made it to your presence, for me he was a blessin' At least I know he's restin' and he ain't out here stressin' Tryna get to the good life, and out of this hood life I pray that my step-pops stay off that crack pipe So mama could sleep at night, I know it's been hard on her I was ripping through the streets, it was hard for her Now I'm up in hotels on the ocean shore When I was sleepin' on the floor at the corner store But I made it, and it made me I know I did wrong, I prayed to God he would save me 'Cause I made it, it didn't kill me So it made me stronger, I pray to God that you feel me, that you feel me Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dyin' all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginnin' When the world wasn't listenin' Now that I got your attention Let us in with the benediction Bottle after bottle, snatching Belaire out the bucket Rightin' all my wrongs for these homies out here thuggin' Pray for benediction, pretty women on my premise Condo out in Cabo, screaming "GABOS" to my nemesis Gold around my neck I'm ballin' for these final minutes Nothing lasts forever, for these sins I seek repentance Shots fired, another gone, I feel that man's pain Daddy sat me down and said: "that came with the game" Shake my head, roll up the window, turnin' up the music So much anger in these songs for these soldiers that we losin' A mastermind is one who's feedin' others off his talent I owe it to my city but it's time I pay my balance I'm in Holyfield's estate, I started with a pallet I made my first tape, I gave that shit to Khaled Thankful for my supporters, everyone that ever bought us Grateful for every lesson these by any streets taught us Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dyin' all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginnin' When the world wasn't listenin' Now that I got your attention Let us in with the benediction --- Benediction - August Alsina and Rick Ross