I've been beaten down, I've been smacked around
But I never lost my dignity, I've been betrayed
But kept the faith, the same goes for my loyalty
I try to be just who I am, but they all want me to be just like them
But I just won't pretend
Nowadays you've got to have a gun and bad intentions
To be where it's at, to get respect
It's better to be feared than to be loved
That's why the enemy decides the way it's going to be
But I shall not participate, I will stay right here
Death before dishonor, I'm not gonna be like them
But for standing strong and proud I will die with empty hands
Death before dishonor, I'm not gonna be disgraced
I will hold my head up high,
Knowing that there will be nothing in return
There's no respect, there's no relief
I try to turn my back and be a decent man, a working man
Something I can understand, I must be strong and carry on
I'll never sell my soul to popularity, that ain't a life for me
Honesty and loneliness go hand in hand, I won't pretend
To be what I'm supposed to be in the eyes of our society
I could tell you many lies and become what I despise
But I won't be a part of this I will stay right here
Death before dishonor, I'm not gonna be like them
But for standing strong and proud I will die with empty hands
Death before dishonor, I'm not gonna be disgraced
I will hold my head up high,
Knowing that there will be nothing in return
Death before dishonor, I'm not gonna be like them
But for standing strong and proud I will die with empty hands
Death before dishonor, I'm not gonna be disgraced
I will hold my head up high,
Knowing that there will be nothing in return