Take a Minute

And any man who knows a thing

Knows he knows not a damn damn thing at all

And every time I felt the hurt

And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday

When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way?

How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all

Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall

It's the gift, I guess I'll pass it on

Mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon

Mother knows, my mother she suffered blows

I don't know how we survived such violent episodes

I was so worried, it hurt to see you bleed

But as soon as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets, yeah

They tried to take you from me

But you still only gave 'em some praise and sympathy

Dear, Mama, you helped me write this

By showing me to give is priceless

And any man who knows a thing

Knows he knows not a damn, damn thing at all

And every time I felt the hurt

And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

All I can say is the worst is over now

We can serve the hard times, divorce, it's over now

They try to keep us out but they doors is open now

My **** Akon is gettin' awards and covers now

This is K'naan and still reppin' the S

Coming out of Mogadishu, we're still draped in the mess

And no matter how we strong, only it ain't easy

Coming out of where we from, homie

And it's the reason why I could never play phony

Tell 'em the truth is what my dead homies told me

Ooh yeah, I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations

Creatin' medication out my own tribulations

Dear Africa, you helped me write this

By showing me to give is priceless

And any man who knows a thing

Knows he knows not a damn, damn thing at all

And every time I felt the hurt

And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

Nothing is perfect, man, that's what the world is

All I know is

I'm enjoying today

You know, 'cause it ain't every day that you get to give

And any man who knows a thing

Knows he knows not a damn, damn thing at all

And every time I felt the hurt

And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

I ain't got nothin' to complain about

You know where I'm from, you know where I'm at, so

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it ride

I'm just gonna take a minute

And let it breeze