Momma Knows

At 17 years old I started runnin' the streets

Man, I had some fun in the streets

11, 12, sometimes 1 in the streets

By 18, I started seeing the sun in the streets

My mom started trippin' on me

Like Will, you gotta choose your friends carefully

Like, I trust you but please call me

And when you have kids of your own you'll see

I'ma be here when all your friends won't

But I was busy hollerin' parents just don't understand

Now here I am with a family runnin' the lines she ran on me

We ain't always see eye to eye but Mom, on your principles

Now I rely, you got me tastin' my toes

I didn't know

Momma told me don't go down that road

But I gotta go where I gotta go

So take your fool telling me I told you so

I used to roll hard with this dude named Chuck

Rollin' in my car with this dude named Chuck

My Mommy really liked this dude named Chuck

She thought he was really and polite, Chuck

And me used to roll out faithfully, inevitably

You see Chuck, you gon' see me

Like we on TV, the bosom is the buddy

Share food, clothes, and money, and hunnies

Flock like we was players from the NBA

Still hurts to recall the day I heard him say

To this girl named Mya

I was diggin', he told her I was a liar

Told her I be cheatin' on women

Breakin' hearts and grinnin'

He told her her life would be better with him in it

That's the friend I chose

I didn't know

Momma told me don't go down that road

But I gotta go where I gotta go

So take your fool telling me I told you so

Momma used to say, "Take your time young man

I ain't always gonna be there , holding your hand

But, you'll always know exactly where I am

And when I'm not there in my place the Lord will stand

Will study the world, only the wise succeed

And when you're eyes tell lies your heart should lead

You're gonna do dirt we all gon' sin

But when you realize it, apologize and never do it again

Mom told me don't rush to get old

If you got youth, truth clutched in your hold

It's like possibilities too much to behold

An emotional shield from life's blustery cold

Mom, all this stuff was hard you said was hard

Childish disregard 'cuz my head was hard

Now, no question opposed, ugh

I didn't know

Momma told me don't go down that road

But I gotta go where I gotta go

So take your fool telling me I told you so