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