JAY-Z - Pray

[00:01.63] Deliver me from my enemies, O' God. [00:08.17] Defend me from those that rise up against me. [00:11.65] Deliver me from the work of iniquity. [00:15.12] Save me from the brethren. [00:18.22] Look. [00:19.98] Mind state of a gangster from the '40s. [00:21.99] Meet the business mind of Motown's Barry Gordey. [00:24.90] Sorry my jewellery's so Gordie. [00:26.83] Slid into the party with my new pair of Mauries. [00:29.06] America, meet the gangster, Shawn Corey. [00:33.06] Hey, young world, wanna hear a story? [00:37.99] Close your eyes and you could pretend you're me. [00:40.42] I'm cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's. [00:43.08] Frank Sinatra havin' dinner with the Genovese. [00:45.88] This is the genesis of a nemesis [00:48.06] Mother America's not witnessed since, [00:51.03] The Harlem Renaissance birthed black buisnesses. [00:53.63] This is the tale of lost innocence. [00:55.84] As the incense burn and the turntables turn and that Al Green plays, [01:00.57] I see my mother's afro as mama taps her toes as she rose her Js. [01:05.65] And my poppa just left the house in search of the killer of my uncle, Ray. [01:10.39] And she's tryna calm my nerves, as I observe. [01:14.78] This is just one day. [01:17.34] And what tomorrow has in store, [01:19.86] We can never be sure so all we can do is [01:21.50] ...Pray. [01:22.87] Because of Your strength, while I walked upon Thee. [01:26.88] For God is my defense. [01:29.11] Pray for me! [01:31.67] As I head to my homeroom, I observe the rooms: [01:34.50] Dope needles on the ground. [01:36.35] I hear a car go vroom, drug dealer in the BM' with the top down. [01:40.14] As the girls start to giggle, I ask, "Why you laugh?" [01:45.05] They say, "You too little. [01:46.97] One day you'll understand. [01:49.37] One day you'll become a man, buy things you have to get you." [01:55.04] Fast-forward, freeze frame: I'm a pistol. [01:57.17] Fist full of dollars — ignorance is so blissful. [01:59.37] I didn't choose this life, this life chose me. [02:00.48] Around here is the shit that you just do. [02:01.73] I just left school. [02:03.43] The same BM' is pulled over by the boys dressed blue. [02:05.68] They have their guns drawn screamin', [02:08.26] "Just move unless there's something else you suggest we can do." [02:12.12] He made his way to the trunk, opened it like, [02:14.87] "Huh?..." A treasure chest was removed. [02:17.02] Cop said he'll be back next month. [02:18.76] What we called 'corrupt,' he called 'paying dues.' [02:22.00] Now when the rules is blurred, as they is you were, [02:24.98] What am I to do but Pray? [02:26.83] Pray the Lord forgive me. [02:29.56] Pray God's been by what I'm about to go through. [02:31.76] ...Pray. [02:33.31] Deliver me in Thy righteousness and cause me to escape. [02:35.59] And climb Thyn heir unto me. [02:39.63] Save me, O' Lord. [02:41.62] Pray for me! [02:42.87] Cheea. [02:43.62] Anywhere there's o-ppression in the drug profession, flourishes like breverages. [02:46.93] Refreshin'; ahhh, sweet taste of sin. [02:49.54] Everything I seen made me everything I am. [02:52.13] Bad drug dealer or victim, my bag? [02:55.09] What came first — movin' chickens or the egg? [02:57.69] This is why I be so fresh. [02:59.39] I'm tryna beat life 'cause I can't cheat death. [03:02.36] 'Preciate the shamelessness and stainlesses that aim this is. [03:07.26] You know the game this is. [03:09.13] Move coke like Pepsi, don't matter what the brand name is. [03:12.04] ...I stand behind mine. [03:15.24] Everything I do I'm a man behind mine. [03:17.32] I'm not an angel I'm sure, but every night before I lay, [03:21.47] I drop my knees to the floor and I Pray. [03:23.68] The name shall endure forever. [03:28.10] The name shall be continued as long as the Son. [03:31.44] Pray for me! [03:33.80] Men shall be blessed in Him. [03:35.77] All nations shall call Him blessed. [03:38.86] In Your name I Pray. [03:41.57] Pray for me! [03:43.37] Lord bless Him. [03:53.83]