A homeless man smiles at me Showing no teeth A young man laying dead in the cold streets He was a victim, beaten bad by the police And every day another funeral There's more grief And every day I like to pray when I see the sun And if there ever was a lost tribe we the one In every hood, there's a project with us in it The old man in the dust goin' nuts - finished Years before they used to say He used to own a business Caught him on taxes Guess you're black You got to know your limits And everybody try to be happy some way I think of dinners in the winters on a Sunday And everybody's poor But we always pulled through it 'Cause of Marvin's influences We always played his music My pops said he was a troubled man Courtesy of Uncle Sam Then I hit the streets and start hustlin' But I can see my grandmoms when she dressed for church A stylish hat, white dress with a matching purse And I could hear her singing loud with the choir Marching in, with the face of joy Proud 'cause her heart's with Him And she could live everlasting in pure peace No longer worried eyes, speak to him before I sleep And I stood by the door when she came at me She said "You got to endure, and learn to be Happy"
[Chorus: Stori James] Stood right beside me Look deep inside me She had inspired me to be Happy Stood right beside me Look deep inside me She had inspired me to be Happy
My friend wrote his mother "Mom, I'm doing better now My last year in college, told you I wouldn't let you down And how is things around the house? I know you still fussin' I finally heard from Ralph he said he had appeal comin' He wrote me last week, told me him and dad don't speak They both be actin' like they kids if you ask me But anyway, how come you never wrote me back? This is like my fourth letter to you I was hoping that You could send me something It's gettin' cold winter's comin' I know you standing, laughing Saying that I'm up or into something I love you mom, Sincerely Yours" As the nurse paused From reading hers letter body attached to a cord Into a breathing pump the stroke she had was too much She's in a coma, been that way for a few months And if her son knew, believe me, he would split in two And going back to using drugs before quitting school But just smile, 'cause your mother's still here Try to live, and be proud, make her heart full of cheer Fill your mind with tranquility, she's free Give your hearts space and liberty and then peace The words are golden, emotion, devotion Just hush, feel her touch for a moment My life's paradox, watched by crooked cops But the Lord carries me, just to be Happy
[Chorus]
Dedicated to my grandmother, Ms. Louise Staley I love you, Grandma