Lyrics
Quick to draw
Expressing readiness to react swiftly.
Quick to shoot
Expressing readiness to use a firearm quickly.
Standing ten toes
Asserting a firm stance or position.
And when I do I don’t salute
Refusing to show respect or allegiance.
How y’all get 5 for murder
Questioning the disparity in legal consequences for different actions.
But we get 15 for an illegal burna
Highlighting unequal punishment for certain offenses.
I knew a young black boy
Introducing a personal narrative about a young black boy.
Not much older than me
Comparing the narrator's age to the mentioned young black boy.
That fell victim to the system
Indicating the young boy's victimization by the system.
City screaming set him free
Describing a plea for freedom from the city.
I’m questioning whether it’s sympathy or empathy
Reflecting on the uncertainty of receiving sympathy or empathy.
Until I know what's real I’ll be begging on my knees
Expressing a willingness to seek truth and understanding.
Someday, I pray for a better life
Expressing a hope or desire for a better future.
Someday, I pray that we see the light
Reiterating the prayer for enlightenment and positive change.
Someday, I pray that the people see us as their equal
Expressing a desire for equal recognition and treatment.
Someday, maybe one day
Anticipating a future day of positive transformation.
Shot dead in the streets, look how they did my homie
Describing the violent death of a friend in the streets.
Tears running faster than he could
Noting the speed of tears in response to the tragic news.
That’s what they told me
Recalling information received about the incident.
They use reality as a form hate
Accusing others of using reality to promote hatred.
Use my skin as the canvas watch them paint
Observing the use of the narrator's skin color as a means of discrimination.
Someday, I pray for a better life
Reiterating the hope for a better life in the future.
They claim want peace
Pointing out the contradiction between a desire for peace and the promotion of conflict.
But ignite strife
Highlighting the placement of weapons in the community.
They put guns on the block
Expressing the internal struggle to maintain one's life.
For us to take our own lives
Reiterating the hope for collective enlightenment.
Someday, I pray that we see the light
Asserting a fight for personal rights and justice.
I’m fighting for my rights
Conveying a feeling of being trapped or facing imminent danger.
While I’m staring down a tunnel
Requesting non-confrontational interaction with law enforcement.
Pleading officer please
Emphasizing a desire to avoid trouble and conflict.
I don’t want any trouble
Repeating the aspiration for equal recognition and treatment.
Someday, I pray that the people see us as their equal
Expressing a hope that life doesn't repeat its struggles.
I pray that this life doesn’t come with a sequel
Reiterating the anticipation of a positive future transformation.
Someday, maybe one day
Reaffirming the prayer for a better life.
Someday, I pray for a better life
Restating the desire for enlightenment and positive change.
Someday, I pray that we see the light
Repeating the hope for equal recognition and treatment.
Someday, I pray that the people see us as their equal
Reiterating the expectation of a future day of positive transformation.
Someday, maybe one day
Expressing optimism about the possibility of positive change in the future.
Comment