From the streets of San Diego
to the slums of echo park
Broke down and homeless,
that's where I got my start
I bounced around for years doing this and that
but now I'm doing good and I'm never looking back
I began with nothing, I still ain't got much
and when life had me down I had to be tough
From the age of fourteen I was on my own
No one would do it for me so I did it alone
Shelter to shelter, and jail to jail
I'm here to tell you right now that I will not fail
I wish all my old friends could see me now
cause they never would believe what I am doing now

Cause I never gave up (never give up)
I never gave up

And right now I'm where I wanna be
Maybe not for you but it's good enough for me
I don't need no fancy cars or no diamond rings
All I wanna do is get on stage and sing
because my dream is today and I'm doing it strong
No matter what the odds I will still push on
I will do it for the poor who have no voice
and for all of the victims who had no choice
I will do it for the weak who cannot fight
and for those who were wronged i will make things right
It's been an uphill battle, my fingers have bled
but I'm almost there and I'm far from dead