Paula Cole & T-Boz (appears on Paula Cole's album "Amen") 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 Bridge: 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 Chorus: 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 Bridge Chorus 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 Bridge Chorus