I've been beaten down
I've been smacked around
but I never lost my dignity
I've been betrayed
kept the faith
the same goes for my loyalty
I try to be just who I am
but they all want me to be just like them
but I just won't pretend
nowadays you gotta have
a gun and bad intentions
to be where it's at
to get respect
it's better to be feared than to be loved
that's why the enemy
decides the way it's goin' to be
but I shall not participate
I will stay right here
Death before dishonor
I'm not gonna be like them
but for standing strong and proud
I will die with empty hands
Death before dishonor
I'm not gonna be disgraced
I will hold my head up high
knowing that there will be nothing in return
There's no respect
there's no relief
I try to turn my back and be
a decent man
a working man
something I can understand
I must be strong and carry on
I'll never sell my soul to popularity
that ain't a life for me
Honesty and loneliness
go hand in hand
I won't pretend to be what I'm
supposed to be
in the eyes of our society
I can tell you many lies
then become what I despise
but I won't be a part of this
I will stay right here
Death before dishonor
I'm not gonna be like them
but for standing strong and proud
I will die with empty hands
Death before dishonor
I'm not gonna be disgraced
I will hold my head up high
knowing that there will be nothing in return
Death before dishonor
I'm not gonna be like them
but for standing strong and proud
I will die with empty hands
Death before dishonor
I'm not gonna be disgraced
I will hold my head up high
knowing that there will be nothing in return
Lyrics Submitted by makkar