Die Trying

see there's no way, there's no how
that i could stop now
imma die trying
imma die trying
and sometimes i get weak from walking the road im on
but imma keep on
imma die trying
imma die trying
before we came being southern wasn't something to claim
in fact it wasn't something to flaunt, it was something to blame
smiling and chucking and jiving, i was so ashamed
they give us a dirty and apparently appropriate name
i wrote about a revolution that sung from the soul
spoke with my spirit and mind, my ambition was blind
answering the call of God like a child obeying
preaching the very same problems they killed Martin for saying
but you cant break the mold in by holding your breath
thought if i died for you, that would be an honorable death
so sincere, my eyes begin to swell up in tear
and it's clear my music may not do that well up in here
"oh my god, being a nigga must be a good paying job
with all the fringe-benefits" - ignorance is bliss
there is a time and a place for everybody's taste
but i know too much, and i owe too much
see there's no way, there's no how
that i could stop now
imma die trying
imma die trying
and sometimes i get weak from walking the road im on
but imma keep on
imma die trying
imma die trying
so here it is, an invitation to an open book of painful past
my heart is still broken, look: i know you dont hate me
i'm just not assured that anyone appreciates me
see, i've been having a hard time selling my albums lately
in recent news a source couldn't find any microphones to rate me
using words like "extreme" and "alternative" to equate me
which is true, i'm in a box with a view, but you still wanna date me
i could be a pretty good thug, but it wouldn't compare to a great me
the final cross to bear is mine, it's not a cross to share
but isn't it ironic i still woulda bought a cross to wear
that obviously cost to wear but considerably less than the price that it costs to care
now i have another loss to spare, i dare them say that i can't win
even though i know talkin intelligent just ain't in
you most likely to go broke when you just can't bend
so me and JJ both gunna have to pay bills
see there's no way, there's no how
that i could stop now
imma die trying
imma die trying
and sometimes i get weak from walking the road im on
but imma keep on
imma die trying
imma die trying
listen
people still standin in line at the World party for some Soul food
to get put back in that old mood
they say we like the new 'Lo
and we respect everything that you trying to do 'Lo
do what you do but just do more that you know
it's a catch 22 and i couldn't cry
now i'm under oath with them both and i couldn't lie
customs says that i'm too dope and i couldn't fly
and you're gettin rich talkin shit so why shouldn't i?
i'm just playin, but i guess that couldn't go without saying
i'm just gunna ride this evolution until they stop me where i'm stayin
but i ain't gunna have to lie to you to make it sound fly to you
i keep my feet on the ground and bring the sky to you
see there's no way, there's no how
that i could stop now
imma die trying
imma die trying
and sometimes i get weak from walking the road im on
but imma keep on
imma die trying
imma die trying