(aaron neville, gordon chambers, robbie nevil, bradley spalter)
Ive walked through this world sometimes without a friend
My life has been up and down, been close to an end
But Ive been through the mill
And Ive paid my dues
Walked so many miles in different peoples shoes
But Ive been through the fire
And Ive walked in the rain
Ive felt the joy and endured the pain
Once I was a schemer
But I always was a dreamer
But it took me who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I am
Ive met a lot of lost souls in the bowels of hell
Traveled some crooked roads, got some stories yet to tell
Ive shot up with the junkie, in piss stench halls
Broken bread with the devil, fallen on my knees to god
Some days I was blessed, some nights I was damned
But I always tried to lend a helping hand
Once I was a deceiver
Not I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I am
Oh, Ive seen the little children, all strung out on dope
No one to care about them, living without hope
But Ive been lucky that I always had a song
Ill sing it with compassion, to try to right the wrong.
Once my life was wretched
But why should I regret it
Cuz, it took me who I was, and where Ive been
To make me who I am
Speech:
This is dedicated to my friends in jail
For my brother jake who had to ride the rail
For my friend roonie and melvin, who were so dear
They were so misunderstood
But I wish they were still here
To hear this song I sing from my heart
Theyre forever in my soul, even though we had to part
Once I was a deceiver
Not I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I am
God said I forgive you
Wipe away the scars
Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you who you are
Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you what you are
