[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
How much a dollar really cost?
The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts,
Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, yo,
Gotta see how I'm chillin' once I park this luxury car.
Hoppin' out feelin' big as Mutombo,
“20 on pump 6!” Dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo,
Twenty years ago, can't forget,
Now I can lend all my ear or two how to stack these residuals
Tenfold, the liberal concept of what men'll do.
“20 on 6!” He didn't hear me,
Indigenous African only spoke Zulu,
My American tongue was slurry,
Walked out the gas station,
A homeless man with a semi-tan complexion
Asked me for ten rand, stressin' about dry land.
Deep water, powder blue skies, that crack open,
A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin',
He begged and pleaded,
Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it,
Told him, "Beat it!"
Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see it.
He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated.
Listen to me, I want a single bill from you,
Nothing less, nothing more."
I told him I ain't have it and closed my door.
Tell me how much a dollar cost?
[Chorus: James Fauntleroy]
It's more to feed your mind,
Water, sun and love, the one you love,
All you need, the air you breathe.
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
He's starin' at me in disbelief,
My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key,
He's starin' at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave,
And something told me to keep it in park until I could see
The reason why he was mad at a stranger,
Like I was supposed to save him,
Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor.
He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser,
He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious,
‘Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect,
If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck,
I never understood someone beggin' for goods,
Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could.
And this particular person just had it down pat,
Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked,
“Have you ever opened up Exodus 14?
A humble man is all that we ever need.
Tell me how much a dollar cost?”
[Chorus: James Fauntleroy]
It's more to feed your mind,
Water, sun and love, the one you love,
All you need, the air you breathe.
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment,
I never met a transient that demanded attention,
They got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin',
Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different.
I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless,
My selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I'm kiddin'?
So Imma tell you like I told the last bum, “Crumbs and pennies,
I need all of mines, and I recognize
This type of panhandlin' all the time,
I got better judgment, I know when niggas hustlin',
Keep in mind, when I was strugglin', I did compromise.
Now I comprehend, I smell grandpa's old medicine,
Reekin' from your skin, moonshine and gin.
Nigga, you babblin', your words ain't flatterin', I'm imaginin' Denzel but lookin' at O'Neal.
Kazaam is sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre, the jig is up,
I seen you from a mile away losin' focus
And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy”.
He looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet."
I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep."
He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free,
You're looking at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power,
The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit, the nerve
Of Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost –
The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God."
[Outro: Ronald Isley]
I wash my hands, I said my grace,
What more do you want from me?
Tears of a clown, guess, I'm not all what is meant to be,
Shades of grey will never change if I condone,
Turn this page, help me change, so right my wrongs.
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