(feat. Common & Ingrid Michaelson)
+
[Intro: Common, Hamilton sample, Ingrid Michaelson]
+
Will they tell your story?
+
This is the story of a
+
Who lives who dies who tells your story
+
(Da-da-da-dum da-da-da-dum da-da-da-dum)
+
This is the story of a
+
Who lives who dies who tells your story
+
[Verse 1: Common, Hamilton sample]
+
My mind flashes, I see the ashes of the masters
+
Who touch the masses, I ask if I'll ever be one
+
When I die, will heaven be done?
+
What will my legend become?
+
I will forever be young
+
Through old tales of breakdancing down at Odell's
+
Streets named after me is where my soul dwells
+
Desires of a church choir, Trinity United
+
I think of good memories that Hennessy provided
+
Memories divided by perception
+
Will it be Water for Chocolate or Resurrection?
+
The path to perfection is rarely achieved
+
I head in that direction, I dream and believe
+
An underground dude that overachieve
+
From the windy city I was blowing they eaves
+
Somewhere along the way I aired out MCs
+
(Who lives who dies who tells your story)
+
But to stand out some days you may freeze
+
Degrees
+
[Hook: Ingrid Michaelson, Hamilton sample]
+
Who lives
+
And who dies
+
Who holds on to all our lives?
+
Time and time and time again
+
Will they tell your story in the end
+
(Who lives who dies who tells your story?)
+
[Verse 2: Black Thought, Hamilton sample]
+
Yo, the anticipation arose as time froze
+
The black men in the morgue were John Does
+
Lynched for whistling at blond-oes
+
I said a prayer with my eyes closed
+
As I loaded the Roscoe's at the sink, yo
+
I been a bullet on the brink
+
But being a young king
+
Probably different than you think, though
+
The quills that I dip into the ink go to document
+
And you'll remember me when I'm extinct
+
Yo, sing the carol of a young pharaoh
+
Who slew Leviathan with one arrow
+
As I revolve through the gun barrel just to watch it unravel
+
I tell them have heart, must travel
+
Keep my legacy alive even if I don't survive 'til the curtain call
+
First of all, realize what we working towards
+
F*ck around, find what we searching for
+
(Who lives who dies who tells your story?)
+
The earth, my name written in cursive form
+
[Hook: Ingrid Michaelson, Hamilton sample]
+
Who lives
+
And who dies
+
Who holds on to all our lives?
+
Time and time and time again
+
Will they tell your story in the end
+
(Who lives who dies who tells your story?)
+
[Break: Ingrid Michaelson]
+
Who lives
+
And who dies
+
Who holds on to our lives?
+
Time and time and time again
+
Will they tell your story in the end?
+
(Who lives who dies who tells your story?)
+
[Verse 3: Common]
+
Frozen in time, I can't let it go
+
Nat Cole, Unforgettable
+
The pedestal I'm on, I'mma end up on the Federal
+
Reserve note your money with a hip hop quote
+
I might change legislation with some shit that I wrote
+
From boats that we came on to lights with our name on
+
Through hard times, we spark minds to keep the flame on
+
I write hard rhymes like I'm running out of time
+
Truthfully, my stopwatch? is one with the divine
+
Centuries from now, they'll play my freestyle
+
And say, this is the brilliance of a Black American child
+
Endowed by the streets, and the Chi proud
+
Known to move in silence, but can be loud
+
The noise of beat girls and boys
+
Building to destroy the perception of urban aggression
+
My life is a progression of chords, wrote the oppressors
+
A chorus, my story is the glory of the lord
+
[Hook: Ingrid Michaelson]
+
Who lives (who lives)
+
And who dies (who dies)
+
Who holds on to all our lives?
+
Time and time and time again
+
Will they tell your story in the end?
+
(Who lives who dies who tells your story?)
+
