2Pac

Lyrics

[Segue from "Bomb First"]

[Intro: 2Pac]
Makaveli in this, Killuminati
All through your body (All through your body)
The blow is like a 12-Gauge shotty (Uh) feel me!
(Come with me Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see)
And God said he should send his one begotten son
(What do we have here now Do you wanna ride or die)
To lead the wild into the ways of the man
Follow me! (La la-da-la la la la la)
Eat my flesh, flesh of my flesh!

[Chorus: 2Pac]
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
La la-da-la la la la la

[Verse 1: 2Pac]
I ain't a killer, but don't push me
Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy
Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words bein' quoted
Peeped the weakness in the rap game and sewed it
Bow down, pray to God, hopin' that he's listenin'
Seein' niggas comin' for me through my diamonds when they glistenin'
Now pay attention: bless me please, Father, I'm a ghost
In these killing fields, Hail Mary, catch me if I go
Let's go deep inside the solitary mind of a madman
Screams in the dark, evil lurks, enemies see me flee
Activate my hate, let it break to the flame
Set trip, empty out my clip, never stop to aim
Some say the game is all corrupt and fucked in this shit
Stuck, niggas is lucky if we bust out this shit
Plus, Mama told me never stop until I bust a nut
Fuck the world if they can't adjust, it's just as well, Hail Mary
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
La, da-da, da, da, da-da, da
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
La, da-da, da, da, da-da, da

[Verse 2: 2Pac]
Penitentiaries is packed with promise-makers
Never realized the precious time that bitch niggas is wastin'
Institutionalized, I live my life a product made to crumble
But too hardened for a smile, we're too crazy to be humble
We ballin', catch me, Father, please
‘Cause I'm fallin' in the liquor store
Pass the Hennessy, I hear you callin', can I get some more?
Hell, 'til I reach Hell, I ain't scared
Mama checkin' in my bedroom, I ain't there
I got a head with no screws in it, what can I do?
One life to live, but I got nothin' to lose
Just me and you on a one-way trip to prison, sellin' drugs
We all wrapped up in this livin', life as thugs
To my homeboys in Clinton Max doin' their bid
Raise hell to this real shit and feel this
When they turn out the lights, I'll be there in the dark
Thuggin' eternal through my heart
Now hail Mary, nigga!
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
La, da-da, da, da, da-da, da
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
La, da-da, da, da, da-da, da

[Verse 3: Kastro]
They got a A-P-B out on my thug family
Since Outlawz run these streets like these scandalous freaks
Our enemies die now, walk around half-dead
Head down, K-blasted off of Hennessy and Thai Chronic
Mixed in, now I'm twisted, blistered and high
Visions of me thug-livin' gettin' me by
Forever live, and I multiply, survived by thugs
When I die they won't cry unless they comin' with slugs

[Verse 4: Young Noble]
Peep the whole scene and whatever's goin' on around me
Brain kind of cloudy, smoked out, feelin' rowdy
Ready to wet the party up
And whoever in that motherfucker, nasty new street slugger
My heat seeks suckers on the regular
Mashin' in a stolen Black Ac' Integra
Cocked back, sixty seconds 'til the draw, that's when I'm deadin' ya
Feet first, you've got a nice Gat but my heat's worse
From a thug to preachin' church
I gave you love, now you eatin' dirt
Needin' work, and I ain't the nigga to put you on
‘Cause word is bond
When I was broke, I had to hustle 'til dawn
That's when the sun came up, there's only one way up
Hold your head and stay up
To all my niggas, get your pay and weight up
[Bridge: Kadafi]
If it's on, then it's on, we rape beat-breaks
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
To this shit I don't got be the shit I gotta take
Dealin' with fate, hopin' God don't close the gate
If it's on, then it's on, we rape beat-breaks
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
To this shit I don't got be the shit I gotta take
Dealin' with fate, hopin' God don't close the gate

[Chorus: 2Pac & Prince Ital Joe]
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
We've been travelin' on this weary road
Sometimes life can be a heavy load
But we ride, ride it like a bullet
Hail Mary, hail Mary (Hail Mary)
We won't worry, everything will curry
Free like the bird in the tree
We won't worry, everything will curry
Yes, we free like the bird in the tree
We runnin' from the penitentiary
This is the time for we liberty
Hail Mary, hail Mary!

[Outro: 2Pac]
Westside, Outlawz
Makaveli the Don, solo
Killuminati, The 7 Days

If you are a rap enthusiast, then there is no way 2Pac's name hasn't come up in your conversations. Tupac Shakur was more than just a rapper, he was a poet, an activist, and a legend in the music industry. One of his most powerful songs is "Hail Mary," which features Outlawz and Prince Ital Joe. With lyrics that are as spiritual as they are chilling, this song has become a classic in the world of rap and hip-hop.

Recorded in just 30 minutes on July 8th, 1996, "Hail Mary" was a track on Tupac's posthumously released album, "Makaveli." The song was written in response to the violence and negativity that surrounded Tupac and his community. In the song, Tupac appears to be communicating with his spiritual mother as a means of coping with the struggles of his life.

About Hail Mary

The Outlawz, Tupac's little homies, feature on "Hail Mary," and deliver some highly impressive verses. The song's themes reflect the Baroque influences throughout the Makaveli album, once again showcasing Tupac's diverse range of musical inspiration. Tupac wrote his verses in just 15 minutes, which is a testament to his talent and ability to convey emotion through his words.

"Hail Mary" has a spiritual undertone that many listeners can relate to, particularly those who may feel lost or alone. In a way, Tupac's message in this song is an anthem for all who seek guidance from a higher power. Tupac himself was experiencing premonitions of his death when he created this song, and therefore its lyrics hold even more weight in relation to his own life and death.

The music video for "Hail Mary," which features Tupac as the buried Makaveli rising from the dead, is just as powerful and evocative as the song's lyrics. The video tells the story of a prisoner who is wrongfully convicted for a friend's crime. Through the power of Tupac's music, the prisoner's prayers are answered in the form of karmic retribution.

For those who want to explore the song's themes in more detail, there are annotations available on the original Genius page. These annotations provide an insight into the song's meaning and interpretation, dissecting Tupac's words to reveal their deeper significance.

In summary, "Hail Mary" is more than just a rap song. It's a message of hope, a plea for guidance, and a reflection of Tupac's turbulent life. Tupac's ability to deliver such a powerful message in just 30 minutes is a testament to his genius as a rapper and songwriter. Moreover, it's a reminder of the impact that his music continues to have on listeners two decades after his passing.

• Release Date: November 5, 1996
• Artist: 2Pac