[Verse 1]
Constitutional creeds, what you believe
Nowadays is a different type breed
Declaring independance on these hard knock streets
Laws have to enforce yet young'ns hold heat
Grandmas scared to walk last week, she was robbed by a thief
People dying over frivolous beef
Respect is minimal
People hold more respect for a criminal
Oblivious, your enemy's a friend of yours
Trust waivers, material things enslave us
Praying to myself, God save us
Hearts are jaded
Sort of like Juice when Raheem's mom was hung by the arms of Bishop listen
People have color towards each other, rigid
If one is down the other treat him like a peasant
True or false the truth hard to absorb
The proof shows look at the effects it cause
[Chorus]
On a mission for the people, look down
For the warriors standing they ground, salute for woman and child
We as the people must own up to our valor
Take action against things that's pulling us down
I'd rather die on my feet than to live on my knees
For change and guarantees
The people need to take charge
Get involved and wake up or forever stay asleep
[Verse 2]
Evil effects the hearts of men
Even when they're made aware, they're justifying descend
There has to be a threshold you won't cross
But of course it's mans nature no to admit when he's wrong
I'm in that same boat tryna stay afloat
Tryna take my own advice from the rhymes I write
The older you get, your thoughts mature
Jezebels lure them in 'cause they're pockets all full
AZ said it best, we lust the four devils
Most are fickle, won't lend your fam not a nickel
People are stone cold, remember, everybody grows old
So who'll be your keeper when the time creep up?
Family bonds these days are not tight
Selfish ways are vicious like a pit bull bite
True or false, the truth hard to absorb
The proof shows, look at the effects it cause
[Chorus]
On a mission for the people, look down
For the warriors standing they ground, salute for woman and child
We as the people must own up to our valor
Take action against things that's pulling us down
I'd rather die on my feet than to live on my knees
For change and guarantees
The people need to take charge
Get involved and wake up or forever stay asleep
[Verse 3]
People are shifty, spending time and energy
Warranted paranoia stays with me
Keeping my back against the wall so I can see what's going on
For quick decision-making if I'm thinkin' about it
Misery loves company
As opposed to seeing others doing they thing then talk smack about them
Somebody shot, lying, dying on the ground
Instead of calling 911, people just crowd around him
The hood's paralyzed
All across these United States eating off welfare's health care
S.S.I. for the ones who can't work
Can't work sit behind a desk grilling your whole earth
When they work for full check themselves, nose up in the air
Popping gum with the fake hair and nails
True or false the truth hard to absorb
The proof shows, look at the effects it cause
[Chorus]
On a mission for the people, look down
For the warriors standing they ground, salute for woman and child
We as the people must own up to our valor
Take action against things that's pulling us down
I'd rather die on my feet than to live on my knees
For change and guarantees
The people need to take charge
Get involved and wake up or forever stay asleep