8ball - The Man Under The Bridge lyrics

[Verse 1] I never was the smartest, couldn't rhyme fast Couldn't shoot hoop, barely ever went to cla** Started writin' rhymes goin' through the studio Beggin' club on the knees, please let me do a show This ain't like over night I got my big break Shook up South rap like a China earthquake Top of the world, ridin' with the top down Thank God I ain't got to sell or rob now Look around, every kid is in the street playin' Still innocent and never touch the devil hand I see the old man walkin' like his feet hurt Pushin' a shoppin' cart with everything he owns in it That's somebody's dad, that's some mama's son A whiskey bottle, the only place he call home I stop and talk to him, shoot him a couple warm Sherry cold beer and ask him where he come from [Hook] But I can't explain this Wish I couldn't change this life I don't know why A man look complacent But all our days are wasting by I don't know why [Verse 2] He looks so tired, I feel bad for him He from the mile, sh**, I wonder did my dad know him? He said he got a son and a daughter my age But he ain't seen either one in decades He said he went to college and played football He got two degrees and practiced law He had a big house, a beautiful wife Two kids, the perfect American life Then one day his wife got sick Cancer in the breast and it progressed quick A year went by but his wife didn't make it Two young kids, now alone and gotta raise them And you could still see the pain in his eyes Eyes that can't lie, eyes that don't cry I asked him what happened after that bro? He said he lost his job and he just gave up, sh** [Hook] But I can't explain this Wish I couldn't change this life I don't know why A man look complacent But all our days are wasting by I don't know why [Verse 3] We just sat there quiet for a minute Thinkin' bout his shoes and if I was in 'em He says young man don't ever judge me Don't feel sorry for me because of what you see I chose this road, the pressure got to me My family tried to help but I wasn't ready Liquor seemed to be the only thing I could do to take away the pain My kids walk around in shame I know, this some hard sh** to explain Tell their friends when they ask Why you never talk about your mom and your dad? Then it got quiet, he just sat there Stood up, he took a sip from his beer He didn't say nothin' and he walked away And I still see him every day [Hook] But I can't explain this Wish I couldn't change this life I don't know why A man look complacent But all our days are wasting by I don't know why