Black Diamonds And Pearls

(Black diamonds and PEARLS)

[Intro - message continued from interlude]

"I'm just gonna read you a little bit of ?:

'I like to start off by saying that prison is truly a living hell

It is a place where love and compassion are looked upon as weaknesses

And violence and brutality are worn like a medal of honor

Prison is a tedious task of survival that could shatter your dreams and ambition

The California Department of Corrections ISN'T designed

to help you rehabilitate yourself or even help you

to become a productive law-abiding citizen'"

[Chorus - Larry Saunders (Ledisi)]

(Black diamonds and PEARLS)

Keep on, keep goin', march on, move on

Keep blowin' it up

Keep ON, keep goin', march on, move on

Stay strong, keep goin', keep, blowin' it up

(Black diamonds and PEARLS)

KEEP ON, keep goin', march on, move on

Keep blowin' it up, yeaaaah

Blowin' it up, yeaaaaaaah

[Gift of Gab - Verse One]

Young leaders, little unsung heroes

You can run some meters, be a hoop or a track star

School teacher, scientist, or even

own your very own street, maybe even be a rap star

Times witcha, you could change whole pictures

Make a better situation, for your mother and yo' big mama

Make dollars, own a ride and a house

Get it right, use your powers, getting' everything you did want

Then the youth say, "Look at where I'm at now

Straight poverty, death is in my backyard

Dope dealers, get fifty G's a pack

While my teacher don't really give a damn about a black child!

And the grown folks say, 'tell the truth', then act fowl

Say 'no' to drugs, hidin' all they crack vials

And talk all about peace and love and God

But then why are we at war, killin' people in Iraq now?"

[Chorus]

[Verse Two]

Young sista had a child, still young herself now

And it's others all around screamin' turmoil

Ain't done wit' school, how are you gonna make it now?

Life is gonna be a little harder for you girl

Some how, she sees the face of a child

And on her face is a smile, and now it's brighter up in her world

And makes her stronger now, she's gotta carry on

And be a very good mama, this is life, let it unfurl

And she's doin' it, mother of the earth now

Found a blessin' in the struggle through her first child

Kept goin', kept growin', kept flowin'

Kept strivin', kept knowin' God would make a way somehow

Live yo' life, girl, show 'em how it's done now

I believe in you, so keep it movin' 'til the sun's down

Never let them hold you back from anything you want now

Life is but a ride, so find the treasures that are unfound

[Chorus]

[Verse Three]

Young brotha, takin' care of his mother

Makin' bread, gotta hustle, 'cause the table's lookin' thin now

Stress ridden as he walks his little sister

to her preschool, which is up the road just a few miles

Back at the house, his mom seeks magic

Through the pipe smoke travelin' through her lungs out and back down

Worst part that breaks the young man's heart

is he's the one that's supplyin' it, he feels like he's trapped now

'Cause every time he says, "No", then she'll spaz out

Start shakin', "Mama, please, where is dad now?!"

Guess he's gotta be the home's only man now

Left the life alone and gotta whole other plan now

Stacked enough to put her in a rehab found

Work and got a G.E.D., his sister's in his hands now

And with support from other members in the fam

Gonna make it out this struggle, young people, here's your chance, come on!

[Chorus and ad-libs]

Black diamonds and PEARLS