Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst – English Lyrics

• By: Kendrick Lamar
• Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the poetic depths of Kendrick Lamar's storytelling. This song is a perfect study for learners to explore advanced English metaphors, colloquialisms from Compton, and the use of narrative pacing in songwriting.

[English]

When the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I woke up this morning and figured I'd call you

In case I'm not here tomorrow, I'm hoping that I can borrow

A peace of mind, I'm behind on what's really important

My mind is really distorted, I find nothing but trouble in my life

I'm fortunate you believe in a dream

This orphanage we call a ghetto is quite a routine

And last night was just another distraction or a reaction

Of what we consider madness, I know exactly what happened

You ran outside when you heard my brother cry for help

Held him like a newborn baby and made him feel

Like everything was alright and a fight he tried to put up

But the type of bullet that stuck had went against his will

As blood spilled on your hands, my plans rather vindictive

Everybody's a victim in my eyes

When I ride, it's a murderous rhythm and outside became pitch black

A demon glued to my back whispering, "Get 'em"

I got 'em, and I ain't give a fuck

That same mentality that told my brother not to duck

In actuality, it's a trip how we trip off of colors

I wonder if I'll ever discover a passion like you and recover

The life that I knew as a young'n in pajamas and dun-ta-duns

When thunder comes it rains cats and dogs

Dumb niggas like me never prosper

Prognosis of a problem child, I'm proud and well devoted

This piru shit been in me forever

So forever I'mma push it, wherever, whenever

And I love you 'cause you love my brother like you did

Just promise me you'll tell this story when you make it big

And if I die before your album drop, I hope (gunshots)

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

You wrote a song about my sister on your tape

And called it Section.80, the message resembled "Brenda's Got a Baby"

What's crazy was, I was hearing about it

But doubted your ignorance how could you ever just put her on blast and shit

Judging her past and shit, well, it's completely my future

Her nigga behind me right now asking for ass and shit

And I'mma need that forty dollars even if I gotta

Fuck, suck and swallow in the parking lot

Gonzales Park, I'm followed by a married man, a father of three

My titties bounce on the cadence of his tinkling keys

Matter of fact, he my favorite 'cause he tip me with E's

He got a cousin named David and I seen him last week

This is the life of another girl damaged by the system

These foster homes, I run away and never do miss 'em

See, my hormones just run away and if I can get 'em back

To where they used to be then I'll probably be in the denim

Of a family gene that show women how to be woman

Or better yet, a leader, you need her to learn somethin'

Then you probably need to beat her, that's how I was taught

Three niggas in one room, first time I was tossed

And I'm exhausted, but fuck that "Sorry for your loss" shit

My sister died in vain, but what point are you trying to gain

If you can't fit the pumps I walk in? I'll wait

Your rebuttal a little too late

And if you have a album date, just make sure I'm not in the song

'Cause I don't need the attention bring enough of that on my own

And matter fact, did I mention that I physically feel great?

A doctor's approval is a waste of time, I know I'm straight

I'll probably live longer than you and never fade away

I'll never fade away, I'll never fade away, I know my fate

And I'm on the grind for this cake, I'mma get it or die trying

I'm eyeing every male gender with intentions of buying

You lying to these motherfuckers, talking about you can help 'em

With my story, you can help me if you sell this pussy for me, nigga

Don't ignore me, nigga, fuck your glory, nigga...

When the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

Sometimes I look in a mirror and ask myself:

Am I really scared of passing away? If it's today, I hope I hear a

Cry out from heaven so loud it can water down a demon

With the holy ghost 'til it drown in the blood of Jesus

I wrote some raps that make sure that my lifeline

Reeking the scent of a reaper, ensuring that my allegiance

With the other side may come soon, and if I'm doomed

May the womb help my mother be blessed for many moons

I suffer a lot, and every day the glass mirror

Get tougher to watch; I tie my stomach in knots

And I'm not sure why I'm infatuated with death

My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats

That can come about, 'cause the tongue is mighty powerful

And I can name a list of your favorites that probably vouch

Maybe 'cause I'm a dreamer and sleep is the cousin of death

Really stuck in the schema of wondering when I'mma rest

And you're right, your brother was a brother to me

And your sister's situation was the one that pulled me

In a direction to speak of something that's realer than the TV screen

By any means, wasn't trying to offend or come between

Her personal life, I was like, "It need to be told"

Cursing the life of twenty generations after her soul

Exactly what'd happen if I ain't continued rappin'

Or steady being distracted by money drugs and four-

Fives, I count lives all on these songs

Look at the weak and cry, pray one day, you'll be strong

Fighting for your rights even when you're wrong

And hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone

Am I worth it?

Did I put enough work in?

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

...

(Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for-ooooh)

...

Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for-ooooh

...

Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for-ooooh

(On the phone:)

"Nigga, the homie's brother-- nigga, right here, he gone, my nigga, he gone!"

...

"Nigga-- they just killed the homie's brother, my nigga. We right here on the block, my nigga."

"Al- alright, nigga-- nigga just come-- alright, alright, just call me back, man, just call me back."

(Hangs up)

...

"Arghh... *fuck!*

...So what we gon' do, my niggas? What we gon' do?"

"Bro, we can go back right now, my nigga. Like... nigga, I don't give a FUCK, my nigga. We can go back right now.*"

"Fuck! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! My brother, homie!"

Tired of running, tired of hunting

My own kind but retiring nothing

Tires are steady screeching, the driver is rubbing

Hands on the wheel, who said we wasn't

Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst

Dope on the corner, look at the coroner

Daughter is dead, mother is mournin' her

Strayed bullets, AK bullets

Resuscitation was waiting patiently but they couldn't

Bring her back, who got the footage?

Channel 9, cameras is looking

It's hard to channel your energy when you know you're crooked

Banana clip, split his banana pudding

I'm like Tre, that's Cuba Gooding

I know I'm good at

Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst

How many sins? I'm running out

How many sins? I lost count

Dreams of balling like Spalding

But only shotty bounce

The reaper calling, I'm cottonmouth

Money is power (money is power)

Yours is ours (yours is ours)

Lay with a snitch, die with a coward

Hope we get rich, hope we can tower

Over the city with vanity with the music louder

The same song, a black flower

I'll show you how to dye your thirst, dye your thirst, dye your thirst

What are we doing? Who are we fooling?

Hell is hot, fire is proven

To burn for eternity, return of the student

That never learned how to live righteous but how to shoot it

Tired of running, choirs is hummin'

Tell us to visit, we lying 'bout comin'

Now back to business, loading the guns in

Back of the Buick, your hood is feuding, and the beef is bubblin'

It's no discussion

Hereditary, all of my cousins

Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst

Too many sins, I'm running out

Somebody send me a well for the drought

See, all I know, is taking notes

On taking this life for granted, granted, if he provoke

My best days, are stress days

(Lord, forgive me for all my sins for I not know...)

My best days, are stress days

Say "Fuck the world," my sex slave

Money, pussy and greed; what's my next crave

Whatever it is, know it's my next grave

Tired of running, tired of running

Tired of tumbling, tired of running

Tired of tumbling

Back once my momma say

"See a pastor, give me a promise

What if today was the rapture, and you completely tarnished

The truth will set you free, so to me be completely honest

You dying of thirst, you dying of thirst

So hop in that water, and pray that it works"

...

Fuck! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! That's my brother, homie!

("Young man, come talk to me! Is that what I think that is?)

I know that's not what I think that is

Why are you so angry? See you young men are dying of thirst

Do you know what that means? That means you need water, holy water

You need to be baptized, with the spirit of The Lord

Do you want to receive God as your personal savior?

Okay, repeat after me

Lord God, I come to you a sinner

(Lord God, I come to you a sinner)

And I humbly repent for my sins"

(And I humbly repent for my sins)

I believe that Jesus is Lord

(I believe that Jesus is Lord)

I believe you raised him from the dead

(I believe you raised him from the dead)

I would ask that Jesus come into my life

(I would ask that Jesus come in my life)

And to be my Lord and Savior

And to be my Lord and Savior)

I receive Jesus to take control of my life"

(I receive Jesus to take control of my life)

And that I may live with him from this day forward

(And that I may live with him from this day forward)

Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood

(Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood)

In Jesus name, amen

(In Jesus name, amen)

Alright now, remember this day: the start of a new life

Your REAL life.

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
concern /kənˈsɜːrn/ B1	noun - a matter of interest or importance to someone
distorted /dɪˈstɔːrtɪd/ C1	adjective - pulled or twisted out of shape
fortunate /ˈfɔːrtʃənət/ B2	adjective - favored by or involving good luck
orphanage /ˈɔːrfənɪdʒ/ B2	noun - a residential institution for the care and education of orphans
distraction /dɪˈstrækʃn/ B2	noun - a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else
vindictive /vɪnˈdɪktɪv/ C2	adjective - having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge
mentality /menˈtæləti/ C1	noun - the characteristic attitude of mind or way of thinking
actuality /ˌæktʃuˈæləti/ C1	noun - the state of existing in reality
prosper /ˈprɒspər/ C1	verb - succeed in material terms; be financially successful
prognosis /prɒɡˈnəʊsɪs/ C2	noun - the likely course of a disease or situation
resembled /rɪˈzembld/ B2	verb - have qualities or features especially those of appearance in common with someone or something else
cadence /ˈkeɪdns/ C2	noun - a rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words
exhausted /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/ B1	adjective - very tired
infatuated /ɪnˈfætʃueɪtɪd/ C2	adjective - an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something
allegiance /əˈliːdʒəns/ C2	noun - loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior
humbly /ˈhʌmbli/ B2	adjective - in a way that shows a low estimate of one's own importance

Key Grammar Structures

• In case I'm not here tomorrow, I'm hoping that I can borrow a peace of mind

  ➔ Conditional/Future possibility with 'In case'

  ➔ 'In case' is used here to talk about a precaution for a future possibility (dying).

• I wonder if I'll ever discover a passion like you and recover the life that I knew

  ➔ Embedded question with 'if' as a noun clause

  ➔ The structure 'I wonder if...' is used to express curiosity about whether an event will happen.

• If I die before your album drop, I hope

  ➔ First Conditional (Present Simple for future condition)

  ➔ The 'if' clause uses the present tense 'die' to refer to a potential future event.

• How could you ever just put her on blast and shit

  ➔ Modal verb for past deduction/criticism ('could')

  ➔ 'How could you' is a common structure used to express shock or strong criticism of a past action.

• If I can get 'em back to where they used to be then I'll probably be in the denim

  ➔ Used to (past state)

  ➔ 'Used to' refers to a situation that was true in the past but is no longer true.

• Am I really scared of passing away?

  ➔ Gerund after preposition ('of passing')

  ➔ Verbs following prepositions must be in the gerund form (-ing).

• If I ain't continued rappin' or steady being distracted by money

  ➔ Third Conditional structure (implied 'would have')

  ➔ This is a hypothetical past condition reflecting on what might have happened differently.

• I hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone

  ➔ Time clause with 'when'

  ➔ The 'when' clause refers to a future time, yet takes the present tense 'am'.