Take A Minute

And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday
When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall
It's to give; I guess I'll pass it on
Mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon
Mother knows, my mother she suffered blows
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes
I was so worried, and hurt to see you bleed
But as soon as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets
Yeah, they try to take you from me
But you still only gave 'em some prayers and sympathy
Dear mama, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless

And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

All I can say is the worst is over now
We can serve the hard times, divorce is over now
They try to keep us out, but they doors is open now
My nigga Akon is getting awards for covers now
This is K'naan, and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Mogadishu and still draped in the mess
And no matter how we strong, homie
It ain't easy coming out of where we from, homie
And that's the reason why, I could never play for me
Tell 'em the truth, is what my dead homies told me
Oh yeah, I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations
Creating medication out my own tribulations
Dear Africa, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless

And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

Nothing is perfect man, that's what the world is
All I know is
I'm enjoying today
You know, 'cause it isn't everybody that you get to give

And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze