I Ain't Goin Back Again

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

To that state of mind where I was ignorant and it was war time

And I thought I could save all of us

If I wrote one line, you know, the right line

And getting by wasn't getting by

We had to steal and lie and some of us died

Were on borrowed time and the clock was ticking

And they're looking at me and the move is mine

Fuck it, just tell them the truth

Tell them no man can take nothing from you

Tell them your skin is too thick and you'll die about this

They don't possess the spirit you do

Tell them your city is counting on you

If you go home with nothing they'll probably kill you

And this ain't life or death for them

Close your eyes and count to ten

Honestly, this is as honest as I've been

So I'll try speaking to the public like were friends

Truthfully, I wish the very best for men

But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again

To that dope house where we slept together because it was cold out

We had one jacket amongst all of us

So we would take turns when we would go out

And the open oven heated the whole house

And the mattress on the kitchen floor

With an AK 47 and three hand guns but we swore we needed more

Because we were at war

Where we'd haul water by the bucket back to our home

And we'd heat the water and we'd talk for hours

Because we didn't have no phones

And we'd dream together about a better life

And houses and cars and clothes

And we'd laugh and joke as we all showered

From the same pan on the stove

Fuck, it just tell them the truth

Tell them no man can take nothing from you

Tell them your skin is too thick and you'll die about this

They don't possess the spirit you do

After all the shit we've been through

I'd kill myself before I turn on you

And this ain't life or death for them

Close your eyes and count to ten

Honestly, this is as honest as I've been

So I'll try speaking to the public like were friends

Truthfully, I wish the very best for men

But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again

(I ain't going back again)

(I ain't going back again)

I ain't going back again

To the time we thought that a record deal could save us

(I ain't going back again)

Where we were unapproachable

And desperate and we were dangerous

(I ain't going back again)

Where our city would love us

And think highly of us, not hate us

Because it didn't change a thing

I'm still David

I'm still king

Honestly, this is as honest as I've been

So I'll try speaking to the public like were friends

Truthfully, I wish the very best for men

But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again

But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again