Back in the days they used to call me a criminal
 
 Running from the police, hanging with the homies
 
 Gun in my waist, getting high of the chemicals
 
 I was only 16, kicked out on the streets
 
  
  My mama told me, if you wanna make it
 
 You better figure out your life before they take it
 
 Yeah, my mama told me, you gotta get smarter
 
 Or you're gonna end up in a cell just like your father
  
 
 Ooh, lord knows I try so hard
 
 Ooh, lord know I've come so far
 
 Ooh-oh, each time I touch the stars
 
 Some things always brings me back to earth
 
 And I'm back digging in the dirt
 
 And I'm back digging in the dirt
  
 
 I'm coming of age and they call it a miracle
 
 I'm alive and breathing, there's gotta be a reason, I'm still here
 
 So I pick up the pace, tryna make me some money, oh
 
 Come up with a scheme now, a dirty or a clean now, yeah
  
 
 'Cause my mama tells me, you better make it
 
 If not for yourself, then you should do it for your lady
 
 Yeah, my mama tells me, you gotta get smarter
 
 You've got a son and in a month you'll have a daughter
  
 
 Ooh, lord knows I try so hard (yeah)
 
 Ooh, lord know I've come so far
 
 Ooh-oh, each time I touch the stars
 
 Some things always brings me back to earth
 
 And I'm back digging in the dirt
 
 And I'm back digging in the dirt