Chorus
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all,
And everytime I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall,
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride,
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze,
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride,
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

Verse 1
How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday,
When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way,
How did Ghandi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all,
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall,
It's to give; I guess I'll pass it on,
Mother thinks it'll lift the stress of babylon,
Mother knows, my mother she suffered blows,
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes,
I was so worried, and hurt to see you bleed,
But as soon as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets,
Yeah, they try 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.

Repeat Chorus

Verse 2
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 for covers now,
This is K'NAAN, and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Mogadishu 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 that's the reason why, I could never play for me,
Tell 'em the truth, is what my dead homies told me,
Oh yeah, I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations,
Creating medication out my own tripulations.
Dear Africa, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless.

Repeat Chorus

Nothing is perfect man, that's what the world is,
All I know is,
I'm enjoying today.
You know, 'cause it isn't everybody that you get to give.

Repeat Chorus

Yeah, yeah, yeah x 8

© K'Naan