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How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday
when injustice had him caged and trapped in every way?
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger-strikes at all?
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall. It's the gift,
I guess I'll pass it on, mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon
my mother knows, my mother she suffered blows
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes
I was so worried, it hurt to see you bleed,
but as soons as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets yea,
they tried to take you from me, but you still only gave 'em some prayers and sympathy
Dear Mama, you helped me write this
by showing me to give is priceless
chorus:
And any man who knows a thing
knows he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurtin'
I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute to let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breathe
I'm just gonna take a minute to let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breathe
All I can say is, the worst is over now
we can serve the hard times, divorce is over now
They try to keep us out, but they doors is open now
my nigga Akon is gettin' awards and covers now
This K'naan, and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Muqdisho and still draped in the mess
And no matter how we strong homie
It ain't easy comin' out of where we from homie
and it's the reason why I can never play phony
"Tell 'em the truth" is what my dead homies told me, ooh yeah
I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations
Creatin' medication out my own tribulations
Dear Africa, you helped me write this
by showin' me to give is pricless
chorus
Nothin' is perfect man, that's what the world is
all I know is
I'm enjoyin' today, you know
'cause it ain't every day that you get to give
chorus
when injustice had him caged and trapped in every way?
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger-strikes at all?
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall. It's the gift,
I guess I'll pass it on, mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon
my mother knows, my mother she suffered blows
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes
I was so worried, it hurt to see you bleed,
but as soons as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets yea,
they tried to take you from me, but you still only gave 'em some prayers and sympathy
Dear Mama, you helped me write this
by showing me to give is priceless
chorus:
And any man who knows a thing
knows he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurtin'
I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute to let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breathe
I'm just gonna take a minute to let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breathe
All I can say is, the worst is over now
we can serve the hard times, divorce is over now
They try to keep us out, but they doors is open now
my nigga Akon is gettin' awards and covers now
This K'naan, and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Muqdisho and still draped in the mess
And no matter how we strong homie
It ain't easy comin' out of where we from homie
and it's the reason why I can never play phony
"Tell 'em the truth" is what my dead homies told me, ooh yeah
I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations
Creatin' medication out my own tribulations
Dear Africa, you helped me write this
by showin' me to give is pricless
chorus
Nothin' is perfect man, that's what the world is
all I know is
I'm enjoyin' today, you know
'cause it ain't every day that you get to give
chorus
Lyrics submitted by bloodredblizzard
Track duration: 04:07
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He seems so humble compared to most rappers; and singing about Mandela, Ghandi, Bob Marley in the video; it made more sense when I learned he is from Somalia. That is what "reppin the S" must refer to.
"Comin' out of Muqdisho"
should be
"Comin' out of Mogadishu" (capital of Somalia)
Great review here
torontolife.com/features/prince-little-mogadishu/
To me the meaning of this song is that if things look rough just take a minute and breathe. And what most people think is rough is nothing compared to the kids in places like where K'naan grew up (Somalia) and that if you feel down or depressed just get up and give. That's what i think the meaning to this song is i could be wrong though.
I think this song is saying that life may be hard for you but your not the only one struggling. People that think they know how hard life can get are actually clueless because they haven't seen the world.
'cause it ain't every day that you get to give"
k'naan is just so soulful and hopeful. love his music.
I think this song is a reminder to not be so high-strung, anxious or angry.. just to take a minute and let things that are happening, happen. I think the lyrics "And every time I felt the hurtin'
I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall" sometimes when you're feeling low or just not full on life, giving is a great way to lift you up, it doesnt have to be objects, more like love.
Stay humble.
I think this song is about no matter how hard it gets for you, there is worse things happening to other people. Stop thinking about yourself and your struggles and move on with your life cause eventually your day will come. Beautiful Lyrics.