Once in a While

[Intro]

I can see it, it's funny, man

‘Cause this life is not going nowhere

And you gon' see it

Wherever there's struggle, knahmean?

Once in a while I could look at you

I see my pain in yo' eyes, man

So I know you feeling me

And see the twinkle in your eyes

It's that twinkle, man

That sign of struggle, I've seen it in me

[Verse 1]

‘Cause everyday I can't help but see it

That people ain't satisfied

And you're hating your 9 to 5

And e'rybody wanna live another life

But ain't no length you'd go or mountain you'd climb

Not to better your days

But all that would do is leave room for people to say

"I guess you're living better now

Share a little of that cheddar now"

‘Cause I remember days back when

A brother was hustling and robbing too

I done tossed the Beretta now

On a whole another level now

Still I can't enjoy my fame

Unless my people doing the same and get money too

[Chorus]

Once in a while I could look at you

Ooh, once in a while

And see the twinkle in your eyes

And I can see that you don't ever wanna struggle no more

Struggle no more

Once in a while I could look at you

Ooh yeah

And see the twinkle in your eyes

And I can see that you don't ever wanna cry no more

[Verse 2]

‘Cause every time you ask me, I'm grindin'

It shouldn't have to be that way

You shouldn't have to pay my way

I shouldn't have to want for a brighter day

Got a little little problem on the way

Bounty hunters checking state to state

Child support lady on your case

Not to mention tickets you ain't never paid

"Oh what must I do?" is what you'll be asking

God, please hold it down for me

Don't let Satan get ahold of me

I'm tryin' to tell you, it can happen to me too

But it happened a lot worse to my brother

Muhammad, I thank God he recovered, yeah

[Chorus] w/ variations + ad libs

Once in a while I could look at you

Once in a while I

See the twinkle in your eyes

And I can see that you don't ever wanna struggle no more

And I could see that twinkle

Once in a while I could look at you

Look in your eyes

And I can see that you don't ever wanna cry no more

Once in a while I could look at you

[Bridge]

‘Cause I see your pain now (Ooh yeah)

‘Cause I see your pain now (Ooh yeah)

And I can feel you strain now

And I can see you cryin'

And inside you're dyin'

You're no longer the same now (‘Cause you got to)

But you gotta maintain now

[Chorus]

Once in a while I could look at you

Ooh, once in a while

And see the twinkle in your eyes

And I can see that you don't ever wanna struggle no more

Struggle no more

Once in a while I could look at you

Ooh yeah

And see the twinkle in your eyes

And I can see that you don't ever wanna cry no more

[Outro]

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah