Track 8 Without meTrack 8 has a shift in tone as five six seven was a bright spot eight took a turn as reality took a bad bad turn. Death from his friend and the mother thinking about suicide. He questions if he was deserving and questions the life that he is living while before he had blinders on to just focus on things close to him but losing someone when you not there, was something that made him take a look at not only his life but the lives of others.
(hook)
When the lights dim low
And it’s my time to go
I want to be sure that
You guys can live on without me
Promise that you will live without me
Cause, I won’t be here always
I need to put things in place
Before I finish this race
Say that you, will live without me
Tell me that, you will live without me
(verse)
I remember how we had those dreams growing up with
Gleams in our bright eyes, shining brighter than the skyline
You were the one that was so dedicated
I never saw you be so moved and motivated
I was older than you but it really inspired me
I didn’t have brothers or sisters but you were like blood to me
It may be hard to see with those binders on but you can trust
Everything that we could do together, the two of us was a must
I had the rep of being “Cool” but really, I was the class fool
I didn’t have it like you so I had to act out for the attention
Something just to get a mention hell just to be recognized
And those wicked ties confined me to where I am today
You left home a while ago yet here I am left to stay
I wanted to go with you but couldn’t shake the self of unworthy
Dirty like the old luggage you refuse to throw away,
the sentimental value of holding someone back
I act tough and strong but fact of it remains
I have nothing that can benefit you,
But I can make it better for the ones that are coming behind you
I feel like I’m the shepherd and you’re the master
That I learned from and I know some that
Have a vision just like you
But they don’t have a guide to see them through
Roadmap this place crazy, but you made it they can too
I can be that for them like you were for me
I can’t wait for them to look back once they get on easy
Street, cause my feet are tired and I didn’t pave this
This lane is the one that you created, talked and celebrated
So my goal is to put these young minds on the right path
Once we all made through these time we can all laugh
And I hope one day you can come to see
I’m teaching now so...
(Gunshots)
(Woman Screaming)
(Hook)
Promise me, you’ll live on without me
Promise me, you’ll live on without me
I won’t be here always
I need to put things in place
Before I finish this race
Say that you will live without me
Tell me that, you will live without me
(Verse)
It a shame whenever a parent outlives their child
I sort of expected something with him being so wild
Just always rebellious, buck at the sign of authority
Being so close to gangs only made me more worried
I was happy when you two starting hanging out
Even though I was unsure how it would turn about
He was quite rash and you seem to follow his lead
Only God would be able to handle his breakneck speed
But I pleaded with the lord to always place his hand
And I think you being there made him understand
I could tell by the way that you would look at him
Filled with admiration, which sparked his determination
Maybe some detonations, he was a short fuse burst of energy
Hard to contain but if it could be harness, forever the artist
You know the type, two peas in a pod
Grew thick as thieves looking back on those moments where we
Would get phone calls, Your mother and I
Would come by and preach to you guys
So hard-headed the more we would try
Split you two apart as punishment
Man, the tears Y’all would cry
And I’m sure now I rival those tears
I can’t help but wonder on all those years
Why they take my baby now, I’m full of hurt
Couldn’t he wait a while, lowering to the dirt
They could have saved him, hearing the tires skirt
It should have been me, I want it to be them.
Eye for an eye, blood for blood, pain for pain
I just have flashbacks and fill with disdain,
Anguish, none of it subside
It been years and I still hollow and empty inside.
I don’t know I can live on like this, unbearable
A parable not going to help me I need something real and tenable.
(Hook)
When the lights dim low
And it’s my time to go
I want to be sure that
You guys can live on without me
Promise that you will live without me
Cause, I won’t be here always
I need to put things in place
Before I finish this race
Say that you, will live without me
Tell me that, you will live without me
(Verse)
I'm often caught myself with feelings of survivors guilt
Wondering if I’m worthy of the things that I have build
Saw many that wilt under the scrutiny that comes from success
And while I considered to be blessed and highly flavored
Still seems like I can never see about my neighbors
How did a kid who comes from terrible conditions
End up being with top-selling musicians with his ambitions had to be a magician
And a dark one at that would take more than millennia to figure that puzzle
Forget it, it is in the past let’s bury it with a shovel
Oh you talking about change here? Nah can’t have that you earned this muzzle
You bring no worth other than being the entertainment
You’re placement is just a holder until we are done, never vacant
How many people would kill to be in your shoes
How many would die with those cement blocks too
With broken bows and chicken wings the spot will fill
In love with the thrill then fucked over in the deal real recognize itself in a mirror
And in your refection I can see the bitter and the sweet
It gives me shivers it is quite a treat
Are you happy, this is the life you wanted right?
This is the chance to say your piece while in the spot light
I just wonder am I in the right
(hook)
Promise me, you’ll live on without me
Promise me, you’ll live on without me
I won’t be here always
I need to put things in place
Before I finish this race
Say that you will live without me
Tell me that, you will live without me