[Intro-Spoken] Now to understand the struggle To understand paying dues And the pain of my people and your people, all around the globe You gotta feel me Listen to the music--use it
[Verse 1] What you know about juggling jobs and struggling hard and chasing dreams What you know about having no car and rent being due and no bling bling What you know about sacrificing all your wants for all your needs What you know about loving your child, just to find out it ain't your seed
[Chorus] Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years Only till then, you only know what you think you know
[Verse 2] What you know about hittin that block and dodging them cops to make ends meet What you know about the lights being off, the gas being off and no food to eat What you know about Goodwill clothes, while all your friends dressed fly in junior high What you know about Grandma's words when she said One day, boy, you're gonna shine
[Chorus: x2] Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years Only till then, you only know what you think you know
[Verse 3] What you know about writing late at night, by candlelight till the shit is tight What you know about late night prayers, and late night tears, hoping God (tell me what you know) What you know about earning your keep, because you don't bend, break, or ask Don't you know the last'll be first (Hey) and the first will be last
[Chorus: x2] Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years Only till then, you only know what you think you know