Man, it started with one spliff and a prayer...
We ain't have nothin', but we had hope...
Still do.
---
[Verse 1 – (sung-rap, low voice, serious)]
Mama countin' pennies in a coffee can,
Lights out, heat off, still we stand,
School shoes ripped, stomachs makin' plans,
Only green we seen was food stamps in hand.
Anger built up, ready to rob,
One blunt, calm me down on the job,
Swear to God, that lil' smoke saved me,
Coulda caught a bid, but it made me...
---
[Pre-Chorus – (choir hums, gritty voice)]
Coulda spun the block,
Coulda lost the plot,
But I sparked it up and prayed to God...
---
[Chorus – (sung loud, gospel style)]
Roll up, save a soul,
Smoke one, let it go,
From the dirt to the gold,
Every puff saved a road...
Roll up, save a soul,
Dream bigger, take control,
Little high, little hope,
Now we climbin’ out that hole...
---
[Verse 2 – (story-telling rap-singing)]
Started hustlin' just to get a lil' plate,
Couple zips turned bills paid straight,
Weed ain't the problem, it was the hate,
Now I'm flippin' dreams, no more Section 8.
Sippin’ cheap beer on a project stoop,
Now I sip somethin' better in a tailored suit,
We ain't rich, but we ain't broke no more,
Lil’ smoke, big dreams — that's how you grow...
---
[Pre-Chorus – (build stronger, choir behind)]
Coulda stayed broke,
Coulda stayed cold,
But I rolled it up and fed my soul...
---
[Chorus – (full gospel choir, huge)]
Roll up, save a soul,
Smoke one, let it go,
From the dirt to the gold,
Every puff saved a road...
Roll up, save a soul,
Dream bigger, take control,
Little high, little hope,
Now we climbin’ out that hole...
---
[Bridge – (half-sung, almost preaching)]
Started with a dub and a wish,
Now I'm countin’ checks and my kids ain't missin'...
Roll somethin', pray somethin', say somethin',
Build somethin', stay somethin', day comin'...
(choir claps and hums rising up)
---
[Verse 3 – (soulful rap, victorious)]
Apartment leaks, now it’s backyard views,
Hand-me-downs, now it’s name-brand shoes,
Pain made a man outta nothin' but fumes,
Lil' fire, lil' bud, now we breakin’ through.
Middle class dream, but I came from the mud,
Credit good now, couple racks in the cut,
Ain't forget where I’m from, still roll one up,
Puff for the days I ain't have nothin' but trust...
---
[Final Chorus – (huge, everybody hands up feel)]
Roll up, save a soul,
Smoke one, let it go,
From the dirt to the gold,
Every puff saved a road...
Roll up, save a soul,
Dream bigger, take control,
Little high, little hope,
Now we climbin’ out that hole...
(repeat and fade out with choir singing adlibs like "we risin’..." "we rollin'...")
---
[Outro – (talking, proud but humble)]
We ain't just blowin' smoke...
We blowin' past our past.
Thank you, Lord.
Roll up, save a soul...
---