I'm never proud of it, so I don't have to go back there again
And, I used to go like house to house, sleepin' on couch to couch
Walk around stickin' out my hands, lookin for a handout

Only thing I handed out was more bills
Only thing pulled me out was my will
God told me, the son, "Don't chill"
Determined to make use of one of these skills

Either that or go beat the block
Ain't no way you can beat the cops
Ain't no way I can beat the clock
Just a matter of time shut down your shop

Oh, you stay up day and nights, livin' this way of life
I was young and restless, all my children came
And then I had a guiding light
No more of that sittin' man, sittin' and waitin' and thinkin'
Somebody comin' to take me up off them streets but now I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy, yeah
I don't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin' so hard and I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy
I can't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin' so hard and I know

I can tell you right now, I'm sayin'
I could sit here and count on one hand
How many people seen me graduate
I know a few that did but a bunch that ain't

Same folks showin up in swarms
Waitin' for me to go on
Want to see Nelly perform
Wasn't so poor before

I became this household name
I was playin' them little league games
Nobody curred if I go 0 for 3
Nobody out her rootin' for me but my Momma

Supported me in everythin'
"Why she get everythin'?"
Some people got the nerve to ask
Y'all can kiss my ass
Man that's my Momma

Got a sister that need my help
And it can't be solved with wealth
Give anything that I have
Just to see her in perfect health
Now we out h're complainin'
"I got work to do"

How bad you think you got it?
Somebody else got it worse than you
I done had them down and ups and
Don't plan on comin' back down
Don't plan on leavin' her no time soon
But I got too comfortable now

Wouldn't have no knowledge of wealth
Without no knowledge of self
And I'ma keep walkin this road
My mind, body and soul I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy, yeah
I don't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin' so hard and I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy
I can't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin' so hard and I know

I didn't know
There'd be troubles along the way
Nobody told me nothin'
That would help me to ease my pain

I've been walkin' this road
For forever and a day
Now I've been searchin' for somethin'
For someone to help me find my way
And now I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy, yeah
I don't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin so hard and I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy, yeah
I can't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin so hard and I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy, yeah
I don't believe, I've made it this far
My whole life, man I've been workin so hard and I know

Nobody told me
That the road would be easy, yeah
I can't believe, I've made it this far