[Intro]
Now, to understand the struggle
To understand payin' dues
And the pain of my people and your people, all around the globe
You gotta feel me
It's in the music, use it

[Verse 1]
What you know about juggling jobs and struggling hard and chasing dreams (Oh)
What you know about havin' no car, rent bein' due and no bling bling
(No bling bling)
What you know about sacrificing all your wants for all your needs (Yeah)
What you know about lovin' your child, just to find out that ain't your seed
(That's my pain)

[Chorus]
Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
(You don't know nothin', nah)
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
('Til you walked in my shoes)
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
(You, you don't nothin', no)
Only 'til then, you only know what you think you know

[Verse 2]
What you know about hittin' that block and dodgin' them cops to make ends meet
(To survive)
What you know about the lights bein' off, the gas bein' off and no food to eat
(Down and out)
What you know about Goodwill clothes, while all your friends dressed fly in junior high (Yeah)
What you know about Grandma's words when she said, "One day, boy, you gon' shine," oh yeah, yeah, yeah
[Chorus]
Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
(Oh, until then)
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
(Man, you don't know nothin')
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
(No, only 'til then)
Only 'til then, you only know what you think you know
(You only know)
Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
(You only know what you think you know)
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
(Oh, ooh yeah)
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
Only 'til then, you only know what you think you know

[Verse 3]
What you know about writin' late at night, by candlelight 'til the shit is tight
(What you know?)
What you know about late night prayers, and late night tears, hopin God
(Oh, tell me what you know)
What you know about earning your keep because you don't bend, break or ask
(Hey, what you know)
And don't you know the last'll be first, hey, and the first will be last
Until then, you'll know you don't know nothin', no
[Chorus]
Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
(All my fears)
Only 'til then, you only know what you think you know
(You don't know a goddamn thing, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
(Until you felt my tears, know my fears)
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
(Know my struggles, yeah, yeah)
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
(Until you walked in my shoes, and paid my motherfuckin' dues)
Only 'til then, you only know what you think you know
(You don't know nothin')

[Breakdown]
Hey, and those that know my struggle, those that know my pain
Put one finger in the air, yeah, yeah, oh, oh yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Until then, I said until then, yeah, oh yeah (Until you know)
Until you walk in my shoes (Until you know), paid my dues (Until you know)
Know my struggles (Until you know), know my troubles (Until you know)
Hey, hey (Until you know), hey, hey, whoa (Until you know), ooh (Until you know)
Oh (Until you know), no (Until you know), oh (Until you know), ooh (Until you know), ooh-ooh (Until you know), oh, oh (Until you know), ah (Until you know), oh-oh
[Chorus]
Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
(Until, until you shared my joy, you felt my joy, you know my pain)
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
(And done did my years, ah, out here in the street, yeah)
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
(Trying to survive, yeah, working nine to five)
Only 'til then, you only know what you think you know

[Outro]
Whatever it is that you — until you know
Until you know