Pray (A Cappella)

[Intro: Beyoncé] Deliver me from my enemies, oh God Defend me from all that rise up against me Deliver me from the work of iniquity And save me from the Bloody Men [Verse 1: Jay-Z] Look: Mind state of a gangster from the 40s Meets the business mind of Motown's Berry Gordy Turned crack rock into a chain of 40/40's Sorry, my jewelry's so gaudy Slid into the party with my new pair of Mauris America, meet the gangster, Shawn Corey "Hey, Young World," wanna hear a story? Close your eyes, and you can pretend you're mе I'm cut from the cloth of the Kennеdys Frank Sinatra having dinner with the Genovese This is the genesis of a nemesis Mother America's not witnessed since The Harlem Renaissance birthed Black businesses This is the tale of lost innocence As the incense burn And the turntables turn and that Al Green plays I see my mother's afro As Mama taps her toes, as she rolls her J's And my papa just left the house In search of the killer of my Uncle Ray And she's trying to calm her nerves As I observe, this is just one day And what tomorrow has in store, we can never be sure So all we can do is pray [Break: Beyoncé] Because of your strength While I walked upon thee For God is my defense Pray for me! [Verse 2: Jay-Z] As I head to my homeroom I observe the ruins, dope needles on the ground I hear a car go, "Vroom" Drug dealer in the BM with the top down As the girls start to giggle I ask, "Why you laugh?" They say, "You're too little" "One day, you'll understand when you become a man About things you have to get you" Fast-forward, freeze-frame on my pistol Fistful of dollars, ignorance is so blissful I didn't choose this life, this life chose me Around here, it's the shit that you just do I just left school The same BM is pulled over by the boys dressed blue They had their guns drawn, screaming, "Just move!" ("Don't move!") "Or is there something else you suggest we can do?" He made his way to the trunk, opened it like, "Huh?" A treasure chest was removed Cops said he'll be back next month What we call corrupt, he calls paying dues Now, when the rules is blurred— As they is and were—what am I to do? But pray? Pray the Lord forgive me Pray He guides me by for what I'm 'bout to go through Pray [Break: Beyoncé] Deliver me in thy righteousness And cause me to escape And climb thine air unto me Save me thine Lord (pray for me!) [Verse 3: Jay-Z] Geah... Anywhere there's oppression The drug profession flourishes like beverages, refreshing Ahh! Sweet taste of sin Everything I seen made me everything I am Bad drug dealer or victim, I beg What came first? Moving chickens or the egg? This is why I be so fresh I'm tryna beat life 'cause I can't cheat death Treat shame with shamelessness Aim stainlesses at anuses You know the game this is? Move coke like Pepsi, don't matter what the brand name is I stand behind mine Everything I do, I'm a man behind mine I'm not an angel, I'm sure But every night before I lay, I drop my knees to the floor And I pray [Outro: Beyoncé] The name shall endure forever The name shall be continued as long as the sun Pray for me! Men shall be blessed in Him All nations shall call Him blessed In Your name, I pray Pray for me! Lord bless us