2006 IL Youth Retreat

The Struggle - Lyrics

Download The Struggle (MP3)

The Struggle – lyrics

(Chorus – Repeat 2x)
This is real life, not a cinema scene
Another chapter in my book
Flip the page and read
For my future I go all guts all glory
What you see is what you get
This is my life my story

The struggle... my life no chapters on it...
The world on my shoulders solo the author of it...
Writin’ in this book called life days at a time
Reminiscin’ when i was wishin i wasn't sippin from the hard times...
Short days and long nights... so wrong but so right...
Quote and quote freedom makes it feel like it's so tight...
So bright with no light... long path with dark nights...
Confessions of an mc straight thru da mic....
   
See dis my life not the real world on BET
Startin at 3 it's clear to see they gave up on me..
First my family then the world man how could this be???
Only family i could see is just my brothers and me.... NEXT!!!...
Fed Ex'd around the system... pieces of him is missin
Groundshaking story to tell but nobody to listen...
Livin in hell's dominion but thru it the kid still livin
He's runnin’ hopin’ and wishin’ to get out this mental prison...

A wise man once told me to never forget where you come from
Because then, you’ll never know where you’re going
With that being said, I’m going to take a minute
To look behind my misunderstood mask
And dwell on my past that was filled with fire and desire
I’m turning back the hands of time and reminding myself of a time when
My soul turned to ashes like if the sun was to kiss the earth
When my heart was suffocated with the devil’s lust
And back then I only connect to three human beings – me, myself, and I
Being forced to grow up in a grimy and greedy world
Where no one believed in me or my future wasn’t easy
I had to sacrifice my pride, my mind, and my childhood
All my life, I had my eyes on the prize
And finally, to taste a piece of the pie, the feeling is infectious

(Chorus Repeat 4x)
This is real life, not a cinema scene
Another chapter in my book
Flip the page and read
For my future I go all guts all glory
What you see is what you get
This is my life - my story

Here are some quotes from youth that attended the IL Retreat:

“It’s where the heart is. Once you’re here you want to come back.” – Holly, 16

“This is a fun way to meet new people and see old friends.” – Jack, 18

“It’s hot.” – Tiffanie, 18

“It’s a good experience for people that never had anyone to relate to.” – Tiara, 17

“My first volunteer experience!” – Tymeka, 18

“They sure as heck give us a lot of time to eat.” – Sean, 18

“Being a co-facilitator is a unique opportunity to help out my peers.” – Darryl, 21

“The retreat is a nice time away from home.” – Christina, 20