[Intro: John River]
This is for all my n*ggas in the struggle
Hey, learn your lesson
[Verse 1: John River]
Taken back to 2010, we was just with our mans
They pull up on the whip, look a bunch of tall mans
Some n*ggas had some bats, some n*ggas probably had some Gats
My n*gga said he saw a knife so I guess we all ran
Except my n*gga Tre, stayed and entered in the fray
They f*cked him in the face, on the ground is where he lay
I came back to the scene, boy that sh*t was so, f*ck
I left my n*gga on the block, I guess I wasn't that tough
But that's reality
'Til this day I swear that sh*t still battle me
Talking all that sh*t but look the situation saddled me
Supposed to be that man but look that situation rattle me
They run up on your block
You supposed to leave them with a casualty, n*gga
Well that ain't me talking, I was young, I guess that's B.E.T. talking
But understand next time a n*gga come for my cream
I lay him flat down before I run from the scene
I learned my lesson
[Chorus: Saba & John River]
They don't cry
Because it won't be long
Finna get this money and then we come back home (Back home)
I gotta make it with this rap
I swear I leave the city just to put it on the map
They don't cry
They don't know your pain
Southside n*gga they going to know my name (My name)
I gotta get up out this trap
Hey fam is only fam then they start to hold you back
[Verse 2: Saba]
Imagine black kids with new clothes
Instead of them all down at Lupis
How J Dilla die at all, he still supposed to be here looping
And if not, this easy shooting
Don't no one come here, we secluded
Our politicians don't run because our race too busy losing
Me I don't point the finger, I just speak up
I ain't vote this year
Because I'm not much a reader, I can't keep up, I'm a hypocrite
Perhaps my raps are too utopian
Perhaps my soapbox is a podium
I think my raps are more like holy hymns
Holy hell, never let them down like holy grail
My brother locked up and I ain't posting bail
Probably shy in there and cold as hell
My doctor pull his plug when I was there
Your funeral was throwing daffodils
You used to be Daffy Duck
Simple as f*ck but your mental is stuck still
Don't let the negatives make you corrupt here
No, oh no rebel child, dial 911, I wonder if they'll show
Or if you'll wait by your cloud in heaven
For infinity, for defending me
Boy we had the resources they wanted more
I put all of my hope inside a poem
[Chorus: Saba & John River]
They don't cry
Because it won't be long
Finna get this money and then we come back home (Back home)
I gotta make it with this rap
I swear I leave the city just to put it on the map
They don't cry
They don't know your pain
Southside n*gga they going to know my name (My name)
I gotta get up out this trap
Hey fam is only fam then they start to hold you back
[Verse 3: John River]
My n*gga robbed a store said he tired of being poor
My brother robbed a coat said he tired of being broke
Politicians said it's essential that you vote
Say, "Miss you got a boat, we can't even stay afloat"
It's like you handing us the rope
You used to hand us names
Ironic every time I see a n*gga buy a chain
The other day I'm at the school out there talking
Know this teacher looking at me like I still pick cotton
Like I'm still that rotten, it's funny, that sh*t killed me
In the end she probably screaming out O.J guilty
The way she looking at me probably think I'm illiterate
I open up my mouth, I know she shocked that I'm articulate
Make sure that you moms eat
I told my n*gga you ain't dying for your block
You dying for a block of concrete
Now go out there and earn that blessing
And when they ask you about my name say I learned my lesson
I learned my lesson n*gga, hey
I learned my lesson n*gga
When I make it out the city they going to say that's it's a blessing
Ask about me in the streets, hey tell 'em
Hey tell 'em I learned my lesson n*gga