Kendrick Lamar – Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst Lyrics

Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

Kendrick Lamar

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Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst Album Art

"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst." - Kendrick Lamar

Sunday, 25 October 2026, 02:41 am

Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe Version)

Track No: 10

When the lights shut off and it's my turn
To settle down, my main concern
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
I said when the lights shut off and it's my turn
To settle down, my main concern
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
I woke up this morning and figured I'd call you
In case I'm not here tomorrow
I'm hopin' that I can borrow
A peace of mind, I'm behind on what's really important
My mind is really distorted
I find nothing but trouble in my life
I'm fortunate you believe in a dream
This orphanage we call a ghetto is quite a routine
And last night was just another distraction
Or a reaction of what we consider madness
I know exactly what happened
You ran outside when you heard my brother cry for help
Held him like a newborn baby and made him feel
Like everything was alright, and a fight he tried to put up
But the type of bullet that stuck
Had went against his will, as blood spilled on your hands
My plan's rather vindictive
Everybody's a victim in my eyes
When I ride, it's a murderous rhythm
And outside became pitch black
A demon glued to my back, whispering, "Get 'em!"
I got 'em, and I ain't give a fuck
That same mentality that told my brother not to duck
In actuality, it's a trip how we trip off of colors
I wonder if I'll ever discover a passion like you and recover
The life that I knew as a youngin
In pajamas and dun-ta-duns
When thunder comes, it rains cats and dogs
Dumb n**** like me never prosper
Prognosis of a problem child, I'm proud and well-devoted
This Piru shit been in me forever
So forever I'ma push it, wherever, whenever
And I love you 'cause you love my brother like you did
Just promise me you'll tell this story when you make it big
And if I die before your album drop, I hope
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
I said when the lights shut off and it's my turn
To settle down, my main concern
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
You wrote a song about my sister on your tape
And called it Section.80
The message resembled "Brenda's Got a Baby"
What's crazy was I was hearin' about it
But doubted your ignorance
How could you ever just put her on blast and shit?
Judgin' her past and shit?
Well, it's completely my future
Her n**** behind me right now askin' for ass and shit
And I'ma need that forty dollars
Even if I got to fuck, suck, and swallow
In the parking lot, Gonzales Park, I'm followed
By a married man, and father of three
My titties bounce on the cadence of his tinklin' keys
Matter of fact, he my favorite 'cause he tip me with E's
He got a cousin named David and I seen him last week
This is the life of another girl damaged by the system
These foster homes, I run away and never do miss 'em
See, my hormones just run away and if I can get 'em
Back to where they used to be, then I'll probably be in the denim
Of a family gene that show women how to be woman
Or better yet, a leader, you need her to learn somethin'
Then you probably need to beat her, that's how I was taught
Three n**** in one room, first time I was tossed
And I'm exhausted, but fuck that "Sorry for your loss" shit
My sister died in vain, but what point are you tryna gain
If you can't fit the pumps I walk in?
I'll wait
Your rebuttal a little too late
And if you have a album date, just make sure I'm not in the song
'Cause I don't need the attention, bring enough of that on my own
And matter fact, did I mention that I physically feel great?
A doctor's approval is a waste of time, I know I'm straight
I'll probably live longer than you and never fade away
I'll never fade away, I'll never fade away, I know my fate
And I'm on the grind for this cake, I'ma get it or die tryin'
I'm eyein' every male gender with intentions of buyin'
You lyin' to these motherfuckers
Talkin' 'bout you can help 'em with my story
You can help me if you sell this pussy for me, n****
Don't ignore me, n****, fuck your glory, n****, you ain't shit
When the lights shut off and it's my turn
To settle down, my main concern
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
I said when the lights shut off and it's my turn
To settle down, my main concern
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
Sometimes I look in the mirror
And ask myself am I really scared of passin' away?
If it's today, I hope I hear a
Cry out from Heaven so loud it can water down a demon
With the Holy Ghost 'til it drown in the blood of Jesus
I wrote some raps that made sure that my lifeline reekin'
The scent of a reaper, ensurin' that my allegiance
With the other side may come soon, and if I'm doomed
May the womb help my mother be blessed for many moons
I suffer a lot
And every day that glass mirror get tougher to watch
I tie my stomach in knots
And I'm not sure why I'm infatuated with death
My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats
That can come about, ’cause the tongue is mighty powerful
And I can name a list of your favorites that probably vouch
Maybe 'cause I'm a dreamer and sleep is the cousin of death
Really stuck in the schema, wonderin' when I'ma rest
And you're right, your brother was a brother to me
And your sister's situation was the one that pulled me
In a direction to speak on somethin'
That's realer than the TV screen
By any means, wasn't tryin' to offend or come between
Her personal life, I was like "It need to be told"
Cursin' the life of twenty generations after her soul
Exactly what'd happen if I ain't continue rappin'
Or steady bein' distracted by money, drugs, and four-fives
I count lives, all on these songs
Look at the weak and cry, pray one day you'll be strong
Fightin' for your rights, even when you're wrong
And hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone
Am I worth it? Did I put enough work in?
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
I said when the lights shut off and it's my turn
To settle down, my main concern
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you will sing about me
Promise that you'll sing about me forever
Promise that you'll sing about me for, ooh
Promise that you'll sing about me forever
Promise that you'll sing about me for, ooh
Promise that you'll sing about me forever
Promise that you'll sing about me for, ooh
"Ay, ay, ay, where you 'bout to go?"
"N****, the homie's brother, n****, right here, he gone, my n****, he gone!"
"Hey, come to the store for a n****, one time."
"We on the block right now, my n****"
"Like, we, but n****, we right here my n****"
"N****s, rest n****, they, they just killed the homie's brother, my n****"
"We right here on the block, my n****"
"Al- al- alright, n****, n**** just come, alright, alright, just call me back, man, just call me back"
"Argh, fuck!
So, so what we gon' do, my n****? What we gon' do?"
"Bro, bro we can go back right now, my n****
Like n****, I don't give a fuck, my n****
We can go back right now"
"Fuck! I'm tired of this shit!
I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! My brother, homie!"
Tired of runnin', uh, tired of huntin', uh
My own kind, but retirin' nothin', uh
Tires are steady screechin', the driver is rubbin', uh
Hands on the wheel, uh, who said we wasn't? Uh
Dyin' of thirst, uh, dyin' of thirst, uh, dyin' of thirst? Uh
Dope on the corner, uh, look at the coroner, uh
Daughter is dead, uh, mother is mournin' her, uh
Stray bullets, uh, AK bullets
Resuscitation was waitin' patiently, but they couldn't, uh
Bring her back, uh, who got the footage? Uh
Channel 9, uh, cameras is lookin'
It's hard to channel your energy when you know he crooked, uh
Banana clip, split his banana pudding, uh
I'm like Tre, uh, that's Cuba Gooding, uh
I know I'm good at, uh
Dyin' of thirst, uh, dyin' of thirst, uh, dyin' of thirst, uh
How many sins? Uh, I'm runnin' out, uh
How many sins? Uh, I lost count
Dreams of ballin' like Spalding
But only shotty bounce, uh
The reaper callin', uh, I'm cottonmouth, uh
Money is power (Money is power)
Yours is ours (Yours is ours)
Lay with a snitch, uh, die with a coward, uh
Hope we get rich, uh, hope we can tower
Over the city with vanity with the music louder, uh
The same song, uh, a black flower, uh
I'll show you how to, uh
Dye your thirst, uh, dye your thirst, uh dye your thirst, uh
What are we doin'? Uh, Who are we foolin'? Uh (What are we doin'? Who are we foolin'?)
Hell is hot, uh, fire is proven, uh (Hell is hot)
To burn for eternity, return of the student
That never learned how to live righteous but how to shoot it, uh
Tired of runnin', uh, choirs is hummin', uh
Tell us to visit, uh, we lie about comin', uh
Now back to business, uh, loadin' the guns in
Back of the Buick, your hood is feudin'
The beef is bubblin', uh, it's no discussion, uh
Hereditary, uh, all of my cousins, uh
Dyin' of thirst, uh dyin' of thirst, uh dyin' of thirst, uh (Dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst)
Too many sins, uh, I'm runnin' out, uh
Somebody send me a well for the drought, uh
See all I know, uh, is takin' notes
On takin' this life for granted, granted, if he provoke, uh
My best days, uh, I stress days
Lord, forgive me for all my sins, for I not know
My best days, uh, I stress days, uh
Say "fuck the world," uh, my sex slave, uh
Money, pussy, and greed, what's my next crave?
Whatever it is, know it's my next grave, uh
Tired of runnin', tired of runnin', tired of tumblin' (Tired of runnin', tired of runnin', tired of tumblin')
Tired of runnin', uh tired of tumblin' backwards
My momma say "See, a pastor give me a promise
What if today was the rapture and you completely tarnished?
The truth will set you free, so to me be completely honest
You dyin' of thirst, you dyin' of thirst
So hop in that water, and pray that it works"
Fuck! I’m tired of this shit!
I’m tired of fuckin' runnin', I’m tired of this shit!
That’s my brother, homie!
Is that what I think that is?
I know that's not what I think that is
Why are you so angry?
See, you young men are dying of thirst
Do you know what that means?
That means you need water, holy water
You need to be baptized, with the spirit of the Lord
Do you want to receive God as your personal savior?
Okay, repeat after me "Lord God, I come to You a sinner"
Lord God, I come to You a sinner
"And I humbly repent for my sins"
And I humbly repent for my sins
"I believe that Jesus is Lord"
I believe that Jesus is Lord
"I believe you raised Him from the dead"
I believe you raised Him from the dead
"I would ask that Jesus come into my life"
I would ask that Jesus come in my life
"And be my Lord and Savior"
And be my Lord and Savior
"I receive Jesus to take control of my life"
I receive Jesus to take control of my life
"And that I might live with Him from this day forward"
And that I may live with Him from this day forward
"Thank you, Lord Jesus
For saving me with Your precious blood"
Thank you, Lord Jesus
For saving me with Your precious blood
"In Jesus name, amen"
In Jesus name, amen
Alright now, remember this day
The start of a new life, your REAL life

Writer(s): Kendrick Lamar, G. Stevenson, D. Hutchins, Quincy Jones, Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman.

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