(Intro)
And I've been gone for so long
I've been gone for so long...
I've been gone for so long...
I've been gone for so long...
(Verse)
The following are stories
Told in the present tense
About my rise and fall from glory
And it's no allegory
Just my real life
Presented for your entertainment
Vivid images illustrated
And they all containing
Memories of me
Amenities and iniquities
A coming of age story
For the centuries
You know the tales told
Sex, d**, rock n' roll
Love and Hip-Hop
Don't flip flop and go and sell your soul!
Chronicles about this kid from the outside
Who stepped in and took a walk
On the wild side
And what happened
When left to his own devices
Our father who art in Heaven
Please Pardon My Vices
Atone! Atone!
Only God can judge
So I'm gone
Either love me, or leave me alone!
(Outro)
And I've been gone for so long
I've been gone for so long...
I've been gone for so long...
I've been gone for so long...
Yeah, I've been gone for so long!