[ Mos Def ]
This is for all of you
This is for all of you
This is for all of you
For all of you
ALL of you
ALL
[ VERSE 1: Mos Def ]
Ever since I was small I played the wall
The loner type, even as a little tike
While the other little kids were out at play
I was home wishing for a rainy day
I didn`t have friends cause I barely even spoke
My head was mad out on a ( ? ) float
Surrounded all sides by thieves and crooks
I found a little peace in stars and books
My outside contact was limited
Cause I was different and heads couldn`t get with it
I used to get mistaken for the stove
But all I really ever wanted was some love
Remember many ( ? ) many tears
That I kept inside for so many years
All the galactic intuition
I learned the skill of bein self-sufficient
Heads got live while I took the jay
I watched the sky and let the daytime fade
Go through a whole 24 hours of sorrow
Lay down and do the shit all again tomorrow
Keepin composure is a way ( ? )
I`m smilin in your face, all my chest is hurtin
I wanna be nice but that shit ain`t workin
Turn off the light and draw the curtain
Will I find peace, son, I`m not certain
In dark, quiet places feelings go
Beatin you down all hard and slow
Oh-oh-oh-oh... oh
[ Ces ]
I`m tired of these devils
[ DCQ ]
Victory is not granted to the swift and mighty, you know what I`m sayin
[ Ces ]
That`s what the devil wants
It wants you to be afraid
[ DCQ ]
You can get hot, but can you sustain the heat?
[ Ces ]
That`s how you lose your power
[ Mos Def ]
Where is the power available to you?
[ DCQ ]
Things that rise too quickly, fall even faster
[ Ces ]
Maintain, maintain, maintain
[ DCQ ]
Things that rise too quickly fall even faster
[ Ces ]
Maintain, maintain, maintain
Maintain, maintain, maintain
[ VERSE 2: Ces ]
The night brings courage and solutions
Images and dramatic conclusions
I play back a hundred thousand scenes
Cut the proper sneer and practice bein mean
I`ve taken too many a loss
Man, fuck patience, it`s time to excercise force
It`s the last thing heads would expect
If they won`t give it to me, I`m takin my respect
And I`m usin all means at hand
Cause apparently muthafuckas don`t understand
They don`t know the fury behind the meekness
Mistakin my kindness for weakness
Well peep this: It`s a bright new day
And we gon` do it this way
Call me MD with revenge prognosis
I`m handin out justice in powerful doses
Comin out the deck with aces and jokers
Flushing whoever comes closest
Strictly hands over ears when you try to make amends
I got my pad and pen, so who the hell needs friends?
You think I`m on some shit? You`re goddamn right
My area of peace is like mad airtight
Attempt to trespass my radius, and we gon` have to fight
My heart is too heavy for you to take me light
I exit sufferer status (aight?)
So if you thought otherwise, I`ma let you know
That when the tables turn, they movin hard and slow
[ Ces ]
I`m tired of these devils
[ DCQ ]
Victory is not granted to the swift and mighty, you know what I`m sayin
[ Ces ]
That`s what the devil wants
It wants you to be afraid
[ DCQ ]
You can get hot, but can you sustain the heat?
[ Ces ]
That`s how you lose your power
[ Mos Def ]
Where is a power available to you?
[ DCQ ]
Things that rise too quickly, fall even faster
[ Mos Def ]
Maintain, maintain, maintain
[ Ces ]
Maintain
Maintain, maintain, maintain
[ DCQ ]
Victory is not granted to the swift and mighty, you know what I`m sayin?
[ Ces ]
Maintain, maintain, maintain
When they resist, I persist
[ DCQ ]
You can get hot, but can you sustain the heat?
[ Ces ]
When they resist, I persist
[ DCQ ]
Things that rise too quickly, fall even faster
[ Ces ]
Maintain, maintain, maintain
Maintain, maintain, maintain
This power is available to you
