(hook)
somebody said once that life was a dream
but to me it seems more like a fight in the ring
but I'm wise to the schemes, to uprise and redeem
takes the heart of a lion and the mind of a king

(verse 1)
When we're kids, we live in the moment, which is great,
but mistakenly associate that with fate
waste opportunities to relate to human beings
make movie screens we populate with ruined dreams
instead of trying to truly see who you could be, so we chafe
brushing up against nothingness, because we know escape
is impossible, as time passes, losses grow
sleepless nights, hospitals, and black suits, tossin soil
that's a part of it, but don't think it left me heartless, just
know that that's what it took for me to grow as an artist, shit
I asked for this when I begged God for gas to spit
to manifest magic tricks and massacre manuscripts
but it's only one way to gain substance: to stand beneath assumptions, look up and ask "what's this"
it's so much-it-twists comprehension, but if you discover it, you get honest wisdom
and that's why I love it

(hook)
somebody said once that life was a dream
but to me it seems more like a fight in the ring
but I'm wise to the schemes, to uprise and redeem
takes the heart of a lion and the mind of a king

(verse 2)
You'll be surprised what you can find in a book if you take time to look
you ever visualize a scholar with the mind of a crook?
you see the ideas are the line, and the rhymes are the hook
when I reel-to-reel you in and that's why they're shook
'cause they acknowledge the power of hip hop to connect us
it undermines the system of separation they've set up
they try to knock us down when we step up
that awful sound as the next judge sentences brothers that he's locking down
guards your thoughts around the idiot box you're watching, pal
we have identities, but want to be lost in crowds
is it to duck responsibility? Don't pass the buck, be honest, really see
instead of closing your eyes and lying to yourself willingly
I got bigger fish to fry and more important things on my mind than whether or not you're feeling me
corporate mergers, tortures and killings, poisoning air our children breathe
the signs are converging chillingly, where will we go?

(hook)
somebody said once that life was a dream
but to me it seems more like a fight in the ring
but I'm wise to the schemes, to uprise and redeem
takes the heart of a lion and the mind of a king