To Make Me Who I Am

I've walked through this world sometimes without a friend My life has been up and down, been close to an end But I've been through the mill And I've paid my dues Walked so many miles in different peoples shoes But I've been through the fire And I've walked in the rain I've felt the joy and endured the pain Once I was a schemer But I always was a dreamer But it took me who I was and where I've been To make me who I am I've met a lot of lost souls in the bowels of hell Traveled some crooked roads, got some stories yet to tell I've shot up with the junkie, in piss stench halls Broken bread with the devil, fallen on my knees to God Some days I was blessed, some nights I was damned But I always tried to lend a helping hand Once I was a deceiver Not I am a believer But it took me who I was and where I've been To make me who I am Oh, I've seen the little children, all strung out on dope No one to care about them, living without hope But I've been lucky that I always had a song I'll sing it with compassion, to try to right the wrong. Once my life was wretched But why should I regret it Cuz, it took me who I was, and where I've been To make me who I am This is dedicated to my friends in jail For my Brother Jake who had to ride the rail For my friend Roonie and Melvin, who were so dear They were so misunderstood But I wish they were still here To hear this song I sing from my heart They're forever in my soul, even though we had to part Once I was a deceiver Not I am a believer But it took me who I was and where I've been To make me who I am God said I forgive you Wipe away the scars Cause I know it took who you were And where you came from To make you who you are Cause I know it took who you were And where you came from To make you what you are