Be Somebody Lyrics - Paula Cole

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

Little boy caught in a drive-by 

Witnessed the killer who made his daddy die 

And 'cause he identified and signed the dotted line 

He could feel it in his stomach, he signed away his life 

Little boy who once was the leader of his class 

The little source of joy, always neatly dressed 

Now would hang his head and be left crying at his desk 

Was found with his mother, lying in her lap 

With two bullets in his chest 

And, oh my God, what is this madness? 

I will not let it kill by gladness 

And, oh my God, what is this madness? 

My joy inside will send this message 

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

For we all are children of the mother 

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

For we all are children of the father 

Outspoken man, leading sisters and brothers 

Picked himself up from hustling, drugs and gutters 

Doing time on the inside, he found a higher power 

Now, back with a mission to help us help each other 

Respected from bourgeoisie to homeless in the street 

From universities, Africa, the middle east 

And through the threats of death he spoke truth and set men free 

But the power of the truth made enemies of the weak 

He was killed by his own people 

And, oh my God, what is this madness? 

I will not let it kill my gladness 

And, oh my God, what is this madness? 

My joy inside will send this message 

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

For we all are children of the mother 

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

For we all are children 

Ignite this fire inside, this light that is the truth 

Shake off the system's chains, no longer be their fool 

In the face of brutality, show the other cheek 

Trigger-happy policing will never kill our dignity 

And, oh my God, what is this madness? 

I will not let it kill my gladness 

And, oh my God, what is this madness? 

My joy inside will send this message 

Lift up your heart and see 

Open your heart and see 

Open your heart and see 

Lift up your voice and sing 

Lift up your voice and sing 

Lift up your voice and sing 

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

(Lift up your heart and see) 

For we all are children of the mother 

(Open your heart and see) 

I want to be somebody 

I want to make a difference 

(Lift up your heart and see) 

For we all are children of the father 

Open your heart and see