I Ain't Goin Back Again

I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again

I ain't going back again
To that state of mind where I was ignorant and it was war time
And I thought I could save all of us
If I wrote one line, you know, the right line
And getting by wasn't getting by
We had to steal and lie and some of us died
Were on borrowed time and the clock was ticking
And they're looking at me and the move is mine

Fuck it, just tell them the truth
Tell them no man can take nothing from you
Tell them your skin is too thick and you'll die about this
They don't possess the spirit you do
Tell them your city is counting on you
If you go home with nothing they'll probably kill you
And this ain't life or death for them
Close your eyes and count to ten

Honestly, this is as honest as I've been
So I'll try speaking to the public like were friends
Truthfully, I wish the very best for men
But you think freedom is money, well money has an end
I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again
But you think freedom is money, well money has an end

I ain't going back again
To that dope house where we slept together because it was cold out
We had one jacket amongst all of us
So we would take turns when we would go out
And the open oven heated the whole house
And the mattress on the kitchen floor
With an AK 47 and three hand guns but we swore we needed more
Because we were at war
Where we'd haul water by the bucket back to our home
And we'd heat the water and we'd talk for hours
Because we didn't have no phones
And we'd dream together about a better life
And houses and cars and clothes
And we'd laugh and joke as we all showered
From the same pan on the stove

Fuck, it just tell them the truth
Tell them no man can take nothing from you
Tell them your skin is too thick and you'll die about this
They don't possess the spirit you do
After all the shit we've been through
I'd kill myself before I turn on you
And this ain't life or death for them
Close your eyes and count to ten

Honestly, this is as honest as I've been
So I'll try speaking to the public like were friends
Truthfully, I wish the very best for men
But you think freedom is money, well money has an end
I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again
But you think freedom is money, well money has an end
I ain't going back again

(I ain't going back again)
(I ain't going back again)

I ain't going back again
To the time we thought that a record deal could save us
(I ain't going back again)
Where we were unapproachable
And desperate and we were dangerous
(I ain't going back again)
Where our city would love us
And think highly of us, not hate us
Because it didn't change a thing
I'm still David
I'm still king

Honestly, this is as honest as I've been
So I'll try speaking to the public like were friends
Truthfully, I wish the very best for men
But you think freedom is money, well money has an end
I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again
I ain't going back again
But you think freedom is money, well money has an end
I ain't going back again