He was fourteen years old

all his life he never left

the west side (oh)

I walked past him everyday

heading downtown

always on the go

he was the kind of guy you never gave your real name to

so young but still trying to game you

But what he was going through

I never knew



Its such a same

how people change

and I never really knew his name

But it takes more than two to raise a youth

and for that we all did lose

Because if one of us had noticed you

How I wish I was there for you

I was busy filling my own shoes



All his life 

he heard  "You won't amount to nothing"

Low expectations

In need of money

few too many choices

and no patience

So what do you know

for a good cash flow

you can always sell

it's easy to fit the role

But when your living the fast life

he considered all times a go



Its such a same

how people change

and I never really knew his name

But it takes more than two to raise a youth

and for that we all did lose

Because if one of us had noticed you

How I wish I was there for you

I was busy filling my own shoes



Is that how he came around

for his child he'll know now

'Cause he left him with bruises

his words just abusive

The love he didn't show

And what his boy was going through

He had never imagined

But when love turns to hate

It's the worse out of passion

His son was bold

And by then it was too late

From his friend they get console

Then his hands, his shoes

The life or death they couldn't hold

Oh- two seconds cold

He was fourteen years old

Locked up until he's old



Its such a same

how moments change

and I never really knew his name

But it takes more than two to raise a youth

and for that we all did lose

Because if one of us had noticed you

How I wish I was there for you

I was busy filling my own shoes