It's not, it's not me exactly, who touches people
It's what I represent, the possibility that dreams from long ago
May still come true even if they, even if, even if
Even if they look lost forever

I had a homie named, Tony, 16, 6'2'
Headed to the NBA straight from high school
My ***** had his ball game on lock
But at the same time he was in love with the block

All the stuff that came wit it the drugs and the guns
The gangs, the slangs and all the funds
He just got a letter of contempt from the Cavaliers
Sayin' how they love him and they wish he was there

He had it made like, Special Ed about to get the bread
But chose to do somethin' dumb instead
Go to war wit the crew on the other side of town
And was more ready then Tony got laid down

He ain't even have a chance, died 'fore the ambulance
Even got to him so many went through him
I hate to tell the story but that's how it is
Growin' up in the hood as a kid

When you got big dreams don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams keep your eyes on the prize
Don't fall to the wayside

When you got big dreams don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams keep your eyes on the prize
Don't fall to the wayside, reach for the sky

I knew a girl named Gina that was a hell of a singer
And e'body fell in love wit her when they seen her
Babygirl was on the verge of signin' a big deal
Eighteen and life looked so surreal

She was stuck wit a dude that was all bad news
And all he ever did was give baby the blues
But she was true to a ***** do for a *****
Pop, you and ya whole crew for a *****

One night, he came, picked her up
Told her let's ride that's the same night
Daddy watched her die they was tryna hit a lick
But the lick hit back put a end to the deal
And all of that

She ain't even have to be there
He knew it wasn't right, now he gotta deal wit it
For the rest of his life and the part I don't like
He ain't even get grazed but the homegirl Gina
Is layin' in the grave

When you got big dreams don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams keep your eyes on the prize
Don't fall to the wayside

When you got big dreams don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams keep your eyes on the prize
Don't fall to the wayside, reach for the sky

I got a few relatives, given family drama
Always got they hands out
When they see me and my momma
One could have been a doctor the other a chef
But when he got his own kitchen
He was cookin' somethin' else

Now, his life in the drain, a triflin' shame
He all washed up, wife took e'thing
No car, no mo', no house and everywhere he go
He stole, so they throwed him out

I was growin' up lookin' up to be like them
Now, I'm throwin' up cash, rollin' up in the bed
I was stuck wit a dream I had since a shorty
I be damned if I let another man support me

Now, Uncle Junebuck's sick, skinny as hell
He got aids in his body from the needles he shared
E'time he get his welfare checks
He don't care, if you wanna see him go to the crack house
He there

When you got big dreams don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams keep your eyes on the prize
Don't fall to the wayside

When you got big dreams don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams keep your eyes on the prize
Don't fall to the wayside, reach for the sky

When you got big dreams, when you got big dreams
When you got big dreams, when you got big dreams
Keep your eyes on the prize don't fall to the wayside
Reach for the sky