Me Against the World

Lord Knows

2Pac

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

34

End

187

Internal

41

Multi

146

Slant

21

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Natasha Walker & 2Pac]
(Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
Lord knows
(Coughing)✦
(He knows! Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
The Lord knows
(Coughing)✦
(He knows! Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
The Lord knows
(He knows! Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
[Verse 2]
I wonder✦ if the Lord will forgive me or bury✦ me a G
I couldn't let my adversaries✦ worry✦ me
And every✦ single day it's a test, wear a bulletproof vest
And still a nigga✦ stressin' over✦ death
If I could choose when a nigga✦ die, figure✦ I'd
Take a puff on the blunt and let my trigga✦ fly
When everyday✦ it's another death with every✦ breath
It's a constant threat, so watch yo' step!
You could be next if you want to, who do you run to?
Murderin' niggas,✦ look what it's come to
My memories✦ bring me misery,✦ and life is hard
In the ghetto,✦ it's insanity, I can't breathe
Got me thinking, what do Hell got?
'Cause I done suffered so much, I'm feelin'✦ shell-shocked
And driveby's an everyday✦ thang
I done lost too many✦ homies✦ to this motherfuckin' game
And Lord knows
[Chorus: Natasha Walker & 2Pac]
(Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
Lord knows
(Coughing)✦
(He knows! Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
The Lord knows
(Coughing)✦
(He knows! Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
The Lord knows
(He knows! Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!)
[Verse 3]
One-time!✦ One-time!✦
Fuck the 5-0 'cause they after✦ me
Kill me if they could, I'll never✦ let 'em capture me
Done lost too many✦ niggas✦ to this gangbangin'
Homies✦ died in my arms with his brains hangin',✦ fucked✦ up!
I had to tell him it was alright and that's a lie
And he knew it when he shook and died, my God
Even✦ though I know I'm wrong man
Hennesey make a nigga✦ think he strong, man (Heh-heh)
I can't sleep, so I stay up, don't wanna✦ fuck them bitches
Try to calm me down, I ain't givin'✦ up
I'm gettin'✦ lost in the weed, man, gettin'✦ high
Livin'✦ every✦ day like I'm gon' die (gon' die, gon' die)
I smoke a blunt to take the pain out
And if I wasn't high, I'd probably try to blow my brains out
Lord knows
[Outro: Natasha Walker]
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows! (Lord knows!)
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows! (Lord knows!)
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows! (Yeah)
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows! (He is listening!)
Lord knows, Lord knows, he— he— he— he— he—
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows! (He!)
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!
Lord knows, Lord knows, Lord knows!

Technical Breakdown

8.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.62

Production

— Brian G, Tony Pizarro

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

2Pac utilizes a masterclass in prosody and rhythmic anxiety, where the delivery mimics the psychological toll of hyper-vigilance, effectively prioritizing the cadence of survival over dense linguistic abstraction.

A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Internal rhyme stackingDynamic vocal projectionSyncopated breath controlThematic consistencyAnaphoric repetition
Rhyme Architecture: Primarily composed of AABB/CCDD variants with heavy internal linking. 2Pac employs a relentless 'e-sound' assonance (test/vest/stressin/death/breath/threat/step/next) to build tension, mirroring the erratic nature of street life.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"bury me a G"

① A literal burial as a 'Gangsta' or soldier.② The commitment to maintaining a specific street identity or 'G' code until death.

"Take a puff on the blunt and let my trigga fly"

① A recreational action involving smoking.② A fatalistic resignation to violence, juxtaposing the act of inhaling with the act of discharging a weapon.

Exceptional rhythmic pocket management

High emotional resonance and raw intensity

Strong structural coherence centered on the theme of paranoia

Effective use of pauses to heighten gravity

Low lexical complexity

Limited reliance on complex metaphors

Standard rhyme patterns common for the era

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