Music Video

Featured In

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
JAY-Z
JAY-Z
Vocals
James Lewis
James Lewis
Bass
Mario Winans
Mario Winans
Drums
Aaron Johnson
Aaron Johnson
Bass Trombone
Adonis Shropshire
Adonis Shropshire
Vocals
Carmen Cameron
Carmen Cameron
Vocals
Cheri Dennis
Cheri Dennis
Vocals
Leisa Johnson
Leisa Johnson
Vocals
Shannon Jones
Shannon Jones
Vocals
Jayms Madison
Jayms Madison
Vocals
AJ Walker
AJ Walker
Vocals
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Additional Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Shawn Carter
Shawn Carter
Songwriter
Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Songwriter
Deleno Matthews
Deleno Matthews
Songwriter
Alan Hawkshaw
Alan Hawkshaw
Songwriter
LV
LV
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Diddy
Diddy
Producer
LV
LV
Producer
Victor Abjaoudi II
Victor Abjaoudi II
Recording Engineer
Steve Dickey
Steve Dickey
Recording Engineer
Gimel Keaton
Gimel Keaton
Recording Engineer
Andy Geel
Andy Geel
Assistant Recording Engineer
Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Producer
Deleno Matthews
Deleno Matthews
Producer
JAY-Z
JAY-Z
Executive Producer
Tony Dawsey
Tony Dawsey
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Deliver me from my enemies, o God
Defend me from those that rise up against me
Deliver me from the work of inequities
The save me from the blood of me
[Verse 2]
Look, mind state of a gangster from the '40s
Meet the vicious mind of Mo-Town's Berry Gordy
Turn crack rock into a chain of forty forties
Sorry, my jewelry so gaudy
[Verse 3]
Slid into the party with my new pair of Maury's
American meet the gangsta Shawn Corey
Hey young world wanna hear a story?
Close your eyes and you could pretend you're me
[Verse 4]
A cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's
Frank Sinatra having dinner with the Genevieve
This is the genesis of a nemesis
Mother America's not witnessed since
[Verse 5]
The Harlem renaissance birthed black businesses
This is the tale of lost innocence
As the incense burn and the turn tables turn
And that Al Green plays
[Verse 6]
I see my mother's afro as momma taps her toes and she rolls her jays
And my poppa just left the house in search of the killer of my uncle Ray
And she's trying to calm my nerves as I observe this is just one day
And what tomorrow has in store we can never be sure
So all we can do is pray
[Verse 7]
Because of your strength
While I walked upon the Earth
For God is my defense
(Pray for me)
[Verse 8]
As I head toward my home room I observe the rooms
Dope needles on the ground
I hear a car go vroom drug dealer in the BM
With the top down
[Verse 9]
As the girls start to giggle I ask why you laugh
They say you too little
One day you'll understand when you become a man
'Bout things you have to get you
[Verse 10]
Fast forward freeze frame on my pistol
Fist full of dollars, ignorance is so blissful
I didn't choose this life, this life chose me
Around here it's the shit that you just do
[Verse 11]
I just left school, the same BM is pulled over
By the boys dressed blue
They had the guns drawn screaming just move
Unless there's somethin' else you suggest we can do
[Verse 12]
He made his way to the trunk, opened it like, huh
A treasure chest was removed
Cops said he'll be back next month what we called corrupt
He called paying dues
[Verse 13]
Now, when the rules is blurred
As they is and were what am I to do?
But pray, pray the Lord forgive me
Pray God's we ride what I'm 'bout to go through
[Verse 14]
Pray
Deliver me in thy righteousness
And cause me to escape a
And climb thine air unto me
Save me, Lord
(Pray for me)
[Verse 15]
Yeah, anyway there's oppression the drug profession
Flourishes like beverages refreshin'
Sweet taste of sin, everything I've seen
Made me everything I am
[Verse 16]
Bad drug dealer or a victim I beg
What came first moving chickens or the egg?
This is why I be so fresh, I'm tryna beat life
'Cause I can't cheat death
[Verse 17]
Treat shame with shamelessness aim stainlesses
At Amoses, you know the game this is
Move coke like Pepsi
Don't matter what the brand name is
[Verse 18]
I stand behind mine, everything I do
I'ma man behind mine
I'm not an angel, I'm sure, but every night before I lay
I drop my knees to the floor and I pray
[Verse 19]
The name shall endure forever
The name shall be continued as long as the sun will
(Pray for me)
Men shall be blessed in Him
All nations shall call Him blessed
In your name, I pray
(Pray for me)
For a blessing
Written by: Alan Hawkshaw, Deleno Matthews, Levar Coppin, Sean Combs, Shawn Carter
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out