Tell Me Why (feat. Mary J. Blige)

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

(Why?) I really wish I could explain it, baby

(Why?) It's just the world is kinda crazy, baby

(Why?) Ain't no pretty way to paint it, baby

(Why?) Don't cry, dry your eyes

September 11, I woke up about seven AM

West coast time, French toast and my turkey bacon

Takin' my time, awaken, turnin' my TV on

To my surprise, saw what everybody in the world saw

Me and my children, images were chillin'

My son said, "Daddy, were there people in that building?"

A cold sweat, frozen with a lump in my chest

I heard his question, couldn't bring my lips to say yes to him

That night, at my son's side, he cried

And prayed for the ones who died in the World Trade

His palms to God, seeds of qualms with God

He just kept on pressin' me, he wanna know why

Then one week later, our bombs were dropped

We seein' them on CNN, they just won't stop

The infrared images of brutal attack

He said, "Daddy, now we killin' 'em back, right, right?"

(Why?) I really wish I could explain it, baby

(Why?) It's just the world is kinda crazy, baby

(Why?) Ain't no pretty way to paint it, baby

(Why?) Don't cry, dry your eyes

(Why?) I really wish I could explain it, baby

(Why?) It's just the world is kinda crazy, baby

(Why?) Ain't no pretty way to paint it, baby

(Why?) Don't cry

Souls are captured

Dreams are stolen

Hearts are broken

Evil plaguin', He rewardin'

Hate, surrender

Love exalted

Hope elated

Negativity destroyed

Honest to God, why is the bomb always gettin' the last word?

And why did her uncles have to molest her?

And why did all them cops have to be shootin' to kill?

And why did all them priests have to act so ill?

Tell me why did James Byrd, Jr. have to be touched?

Tell me, why did Malcolm and Martin depart from us?

Tell me, why did that sniper make that little boy shoot?

And why is human life always denied for loot?

Tell me, why did Mandela have to live in a cage?

Why did my brother Sterling have to die at that age?

Tell me, why did Reginald Denny deserve his fate?

And why the **** can't love seem to defeat hate?

Tell me, why is it so hard for all the children to eat?

Why did Pac and Biggie Smalls have to fall in the street?

Tell me, why did Jam Master Jay have to go that way?

Please, what am I supposed to say to my kids when they say

(Why?) I really wish I could explain it, baby

(Why?) It's just the world is kinda crazy, baby

(Why?) Ain't no pretty way to paint it, baby

(Why?) Don't cry, dry your eyes

(Why?) I really wish I could explain it, baby

(Why?) It's just the world is kinda crazy, baby

(Why?) Ain't no pretty way to paint it, baby

(Why?) Don't cry, dry your eyes

Can't explain it, baby, life is just really crazy

I mean, if it's world wars or the life of a little baby

We got more stores than they got rice under Buddha, lazy

You live four scores and still it be drivin' you crazy

But, for me, I try to see the bright side

Sometimes it be like the goodness be tryin' hide

Or tryin' to flee, but it can't, it's deep inside

Sweetie, you be the light for others, make 'em believe in God

Souls are captured

Dreams are stolen

Hearts are broken

Evil plaguin', He rewardin'

Hate, surrender

Love exalted

Hope elated

Negativity destroyed