He was fourteen years old
  all his life he never left
  the west side (oh)
  I walked past him everyday
  heading downtown
  always on the go
  he was the kind of guy you never gave your real name to
  so young but still trying to game you
  But what he was going through
  I never knew
  
  Its such a same
  how people change
  and I never really knew his name
  But it takes more than two to raise a youth
  and for that we all did lose
  Because if one of us had noticed you
  How I wish I was there for you
  I was busy filling my own shoes
  
  All his life
  he heard "You won't amount to nothing"
  Low expectations
  In need of money
  few too many choices
  and no patience
  So what do you know
  for a good cash flow
  you can always sell
  it's easy to fit the role
  But when your living the fast life
  he considered all times a go
  
  Its such a same
  how people change
  and I never really knew his name
  But it takes more than two to raise a youth
  and for that we all did lose
  Because if one of us had noticed you
  How I wish I was there for you
  I was busy filling my own shoes
  
  Is that how he came around
  for his child he'll know now
  'Cause he left him with bruises
  his words just abusive
  The love he didn't show
  And what his boy was going through
  He had never imagined
  But when love turns to hate
  It's the worse out of passion
  His son was bold
  And by then it was too late
  From his friend they get console
  Then his hands, his shoes
  The life or death they couldn't hold
  Oh- two seconds cold
  He was fourteen years old
  Locked up until he's old
  
  Its such a same
  how moments change
  and I never really knew his name
  But it takes more than two to raise a youth
  and for that we all did lose
  Because if one of us had noticed you
  How I wish I was there for you
  I was busy filling my own shoes