I didnt know (where) there'd be troubles along the way, nobody told me nothing (nobody told me nothing)nothin
  
  yeah (x31)
  
  i went through 8 different schools and 12 different years
  thats 30 different teachers over 10,000 different peers
  and i dint for new one got suspended every time
  besides a few were feelin me and commited dirty crimes
  but never braggin
  i just want you to see me where i have been
  i never proud of it
  just so i dont have to go back ther again
  and i used to go like house to house
  sleeping on couch to couch
  walk around sticking out my hands
  looking for a hand out
  only thing got handed out was more bills
  only thing that pulled me out was my will
  god told me the sun dont chill
  told me to make use of one of these skills
  aint for that our or go and beat the block
  aint no way u can heat the cops
  aint no way i could beat the clock
  its just a matter of time shut down you shot
  stay up day and night, livin this way of life
  i was young and restless
  all my children came and then i had a guiding light
  no more that sittin main
  sitting and waiting and thinkin
  that somebody coming to take me up off the streets
  but now i know
  
  nobody told me that road would be
  i dont beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  nobody told me that the road would be
  i cant beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  
  i say and now im saying
  i can stay here and count on one hand
  how many people see me graduate
  i know a few that did betta bunch that eight
  seeing folks showin up in swarms
  waiting for me to go on
  wanna see nelly perform
  buts whats all before
  i becam this house hold name
  i was playin on little league games
  nobody cared if i go on for three
  nobody out ehre routin for me
  and my mama supported me in everything
  while she did everything
  some people got the nerve to ask
  yall kiss my ass, that my mama
  that sister didnt need my help
  in a game we soght no wealth
  give anythin that i had just to see her in perfect health
  now we out here complaining i got work to do
  how bad you think you got it
  somebody else got i worse then you
  and i had a up n dont plan on coming back down
  dont plan or leaving her no time soon
  when i got to comfortable now
  wont have no knowledgable wealth
  without no knowledge urself
  no i keep walking this road
  my mind body and soal
  (and i know and i know and i know)
  
  nobody told me that road would be
  i dont beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  nobody told me that the road would be
  i cant beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  
  i didnt know therd be toubles along the way
  nobody told me nothing
  ther was nobody to ease my pain
  and ive been walking this road
  for forever and a day
  now im in search for something
  for someone to help me find my way
  
  and now i know
  nobody told me that road would be
  i dont beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  nobody told me that the road would be
  i cant beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  
  nobody told me that road would be
  i dont believe i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  nobody told me that the road would be
  i cant beleive i made it this far
  my whole life and i've been working so hard
  and i know
  
  repet to fade