Dear John-MC Lyte/Common

[Intro: MC Lyte] Dear John Know this life has been filled with stress and pain If I could, I would take it all away All away [Verse 1: MC Lyte] I know you gotta feel like your back is pinned against the wall most times But in those times, you remain open Closed minds will get you nowhere Gotta move with no fare, so dear I salute you Knowing everything you've been through is just a journey Every man must take the key For some it's not to make the same mistakes And fall victim to the chaos the world creates In the heat of the moment You can mistake an ally for an opponent And wipe your own out What a waste, and an evasive hate You discover that it's too late What you wanna do So you wanna be ballers, shot callers Dippin' in the Benz straight lawless Or would you rather be fathers to your daughters? Even though it's getting harder [Verse 2: Common] A letter to the better, to better the demonstration Situation got you wishin' for ventilation Can't a nigga breathe, trying to find what I believe It's hard for a tree to grow when father figures leave Plus I got a seed and my baby mama need Smoke a little weed to keep my mind free Only God can judge me, so to him I plead Fifth in my hand, the myth of a man That I should know it all and I ain't supposed to fall Getting locked up and boxed up, protocol Writings on the wall, fighting for the cause Read a letter from the world and it said "It's yours" [Verse 3: MC Lyte] Confused with those who say they have your back I feel your pain, I know you're under attack To be strong in all things in all ways, just ain't real, so some stray Lives left in hallways, death's breath is in the air Let your thirstful life persevere Someone once said you were chosen Bus as you gotten older, doors are now closin' Karma comes around And all those silly things you did as a grown child are wheelin' down in your direction But not all hope is lost Gather your thoughts for the second coming And I'm guessing you'll be stronger than you've ever been Ever