[Jay-Z]

This here's a ballad for all the fallen soldiers

I'ma bout 'ta show you how a hustlers life (this is life man)

and a soldier's life, parallel

And the one thing they got in common is pain (forget about me for a second)

Picture split screen

On one side we got a hustler getting ready for the block (human beings)

Other side you got the soldier getting ready for bootcamp (soldiers)

They're both at war (this is life)

Stay with us



[Chorus]

Did you ever notice, before you think, life goes fast

So don't you worry, about what you see, it will pass



[Verse 1]

You lost him mama, the wars calling him

Feel its his duty to fall in line with all of them

He's a soldier

Rose through the ranks as the head of your house hold

Now its time to provide bank

Like he's supposed tah

Now just remember while he's going to November

Theres part of him growing up

His shirts soaks up your tears as he holds yah

Your heart beatin so fast speeding his pulse up

Yeah i know it sucks, Life aint a rose bud

A couple of speed bumps

You gotta take your lumps

Off to Bootcamp, the worlds facing terror

Bin Laden been happenin in Manhatten

Crack was anthrax back then, back when

Police was Al'Qaeda to black men

While I was out there hustling sinning with no religion

He was off the wall killing for a living



[Chorus]



[Verse 2]

Days turn to nights, nights turn to years

Years turn to "how the fuck we make it in here?"

My barracks average couple fights a day

Get you locked in a hole wont see the light of day

And I feel like I'm just writing my life away

I never thought shit could end up quite this way

There's a war going on outside no man is safe from

I'm here for the good fight only the fakes run

I'm here for the purple heart, if I cant take one

For my team or my siblings whats my reason for living?

I love my niggas more then anything else

This war's about my family, me needin the wealth

You dont understand how useless as men we felt

Till you become a 5 star general

Shout out to my niggas that's locked in jail

P.O.W.'s thats still in the war for real



[Chorus]



Your baby boy is getting grown

So your baby boy is moving on

I've gotta chase (gotta chase it)

If I'm gonna make it (gonna make it)

Your baby boy is getting grown

So your baby boy is moving on

I'm gonna make it

Even if I gotta take it (gotta take it)



[Verse 3]

Mama said pray your sons becoming a man

This wars taxin to 'em like Uncle Sam

Hear the noise make the right choice, understand

Every choice that he make he makes it for his fam

It's death before dishonour

And if hes gone you should honor his memory

Dont cry we all gonna die eventually

But if he's locked in the penetentiary send him some energy

They all winners to me

(What's up kid?)



[Chorus]