Don't Understand Lyrics - Kendrick Lamar

1 His eyes bloodshot red

2 I watched him as he took a fifth of Henny to the head in memory of his brother

3 Reminiscing on them playing Sega with each other

4 He was hurting, I can see it, plenty tears, no Kleenex

5 I stood by his side because that was my homie

6 Gave him a hug, some of his brother's blood got on me

7 Clinching his fist on some angry shit

8 Stood up, sat back down on the curb and asked me who they be hangin' with

9 I wasn't sure so I gave him no answer

10 But I was sure that he had him a blammer and wanted war

11 Revenge, what do you say to a good friend

12 That just lost it and grabbin' choppers out of the closet

13 I tried my best to make him renig

14 But he was like, my nig this feeling is more than personal

15 I stood down

16 He hopped in a four door, Honda Accord before he

17 Bent the block, he said K Dot

18 [Chorus]

19 "(You wouldn't understand)

20 These streets can turn a kid to killer in minutes

21 Not by choice, but forced to be a menace

22 Can someone just pray for me, or war

23 (Or at least, try to understand) the city pressure

24 The AK-47, twin MAC-11s

25 The Desert Eagle, shotty and the Smith & Wessons

26 Pray for me, or war"

27 Corners become monuments for the dead

28 Candles on the pavement, postcard read

29 Rest in peace, the yellow tape blockin' off the streets

30 A baby mama yellin at the police

31 But you don't understand

32 You figure that we're just a bunch of niggas but the picture here's a story untold

33 Y' see this wasn't in our plans

34 Babies from the late 80s wasn't born crazy, we was raised that way

35 Put that Malcom X book down then raise that K

36 Complete chaos when we off x pills and St. Ides

37 Look the devil in the face, from a sane eye

38 Cast the spell on you like Akeelah and the Bee

39 Every killer in the street is a teen with a corrupted, mind

40 Substance, time, is no longer an issue

41 We don't have it, so pass the tissue

42 Then close the casket, kiss the momma when you can

43 And tell her you understand, but you don't understand

44 [Chorus]

45 He came back fifteen minutes later

46 He said, "Dot, I went on one, do me this favor

47 Dump these guns in a safe place, let nobody see you

48 This as critical as it gets, my nigga I need you"

49 I said alright, so what happened? "Seen a few niggas slippin

50 And I just started clappin, I didn't care who I was hittin"

51 That's wild shit, but anyway I got you

52 I love you nigga make sure you hit me up by tomorrow

53 I woke up the next mornin' with a cold

54 Allergies got me sneezin and wipin' my nose when it was leaking

55 Checked the medicine cabinet, lookin for some Dayquil

56 But all I seen was some Asprin, just my luck

57 I got up, went to Rite Aid

58 Hoping that the pharmacy department had the right aid - I bought it and left

59 Walked to the parking lot, when I see the faces of death

60 Said they was lookin for my man with a chopper in they hand

61 Prayin it would jam, but you don't understand

62 [Chorus]

63 Its like a revolving door that i've been a part of my whole life. fucked up right?