A homeless man smiles at me

Showing no teeth

A young man laying dead in the cold streets

He was a victim, beaten bad by the police

And every day another funeral

There's more grief

And every day I like to pray when I see the sun

And if there ever was a lost tribe we the one

In every hood, there's a project with us in it

The old man in the dust goin' nuts  finished

Years before they used to say

He used to own a business

Caught him on taxes

Guess you're black

You got to know your limits

And everybody try to be happy some way

I think of dinners in the winters on a Sunday

And everybody's poor

But we always pulled through it

'Cause of Marvin's influences

We always played his music

My pops said he was a troubled man

Courtesy of Uncle Sam

Then I hit the streets and start hustlin'

But I can see my grandmoms when she dressed for church

A stylish hat, white dress with a matching purse

And I could hear her singing loud with the choir

Marching in, with the face of joy

Proud 'cause her heart's with Him

And she could live everlasting in pure peace

No longer worried eyes, speak to him before I sleep

And I stood by the door when she came at me

She said "You got to endure, and learn to be Happy"



Chorus Stori James

Stood right beside me

Look deep inside me

She had inspired me to be

Happy

Stood right beside me

Look deep inside me

She had inspired me to be

Happy



My friend wrote his mother

"Mom, I'm doing better now

My last year in college, told you I wouldn't let you down

And how is things around the house?

I know you still fussin'

I finally heard from Ralph he said he had appeal comin'

He wrote me last week, told me him and dad don't speak

They both be actin' like they kids if you ask me

But anyway, how come you never wrote me back?

This is like my fourth letter to you

I was hoping that

You could send me something

It's gettin' cold winter's comin'

I know you standing, laughing

Saying that I'm up or into something

I love you mom, Sincerely Yours"

As the nurse paused

From reading hers letter body attached to a cord

Into a breathing pump the stroke she had was too much

She's in a coma, been that way for a few months

And if her son knew, believe me, he would split in two

And going back to using drugs before quitting school

But just smile, 'cause your mother's still here

Try to live, and be proud, make her heart full of cheer

Fill your mind with tranquility, she's free

Give your hearts space and liberty and then peace

The words are golden, emotion, devotion

Just hush, feel her touch for a moment

My life's paradox, watched by crooked cops

But the Lord carries me, just to be

Happy



Chorus



Dedicated to my grandmother, Ms. Louise Staley