Benediction

[Chorus: August Alsina] Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dying all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginning When the world wasn't listening Now that I got your attention Let us end with the benediction [Verse 1: August Alsina] We are gathered here today Paying our respects to being broke, hope he's in a better place 'Cause life out here ain't sweet, oh no I would close my eyes to sleep, but didn't dream no more So I had to make a way for my home, you know Now I'm in a place where I ain't gotta scheme no more The good life, I'm done with the hood life I did what I could, didn't always do what I should and I was misunderstood So many nights I tried To hide how I felt, I would cry inside And I ran through the streets 'til my feet got tired 'Cause I ain't wanna have my shoes on them power lines [Pre-Chorus: August Alsina] But I made it, and it made me I know I did wrong, I pray to God he forgave me 'Cause I made it, it didn't kill me So it made me stronger, I pray to God that you feel me, that you feel me [Chorus: August Alsina] Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dying all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginning When the world wasn't listening Now that I got your attention Let us end with the benediction [Verse 2: August Alsina] Our father, who art in heaven I pray you free me from my demons and keep me level I know you kept me out of prison, where I was heading When I heard somebody killed my brother, one-eighty-seven I hope he made it to your presence, for me he was a blessing At least I know he's rested and he ain't out here stressing Tryna get to the good life and out of this hood life I pray that my step-pops lay off that crack pipe So mama could sleep nights, I know it's been hard on her I was ripping through the streets, it was hard for her Now I'm up in hotels on the ocean shore When I was sleeping on the floor at the corner store [Pre-Chorus: August Alsina] But I made it, and it made me I know I did wrong, I pray to God he would save me 'Cause I made it, it didn't kill me So it made me stronger, I pray to God that you feel me, you could feel me [Chorus: August Alsina] Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dying all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginning When the world wasn't listening Now that I got your attention Let us end with the benediction [Verse 3: Rick Ross] Bottle after bottle, snatchin' Belaire out the bucket Rightin' all my wrongs for these homies out here thuggin' Pray for benediction, pretty women on my premise Condo out in Cabo, screamin' "GABOS" to my nemesis Gold around my neck, I'm ballin' for these final minutes Nothin' lasts forever, for these sins I seek repentance Shots fired, another gone, I feel that man's pain Daddy sat me down and said, "That came with the game" Shake my head, roll up the window, turnin' up the music So much anger in these songs for these soldiers that we losin' A mastermind is one who's feedin' others off his talent I owe it to my city but it's time I pay my balance I'm in Holyfield's estate, I started with a pallet I made my first tape, I gave that shit to Khaled Thankful for my supporters, everyone that ever bought us Grateful for every lesson these Miami streets taught us [Chorus: August Alsina] Started off in the streets We would take collection from the fiends People dying all around me So I gave you my testimony We were down from the beginning When the world wasn't listening Now that I got your attention Let us end with the benediction