To Make Me Who I Am

Ive walked through this world sometime without a friend
My life has been up and down, been close to an end
Ive been through the mill and Ive paid my dues
Walked so many miles in different peoples shoesBut Ive been through the fire and Ive walked in the rain
Ive felt the joy and endured the painOnce I was a schemer but I always was a dreamer
But it took me who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I amIve met a lot of lost souls in the bowels of hell
Traveled some crooked roads and got some stories yet to tell
Ive shot up with the junkie in piss stench halls
Broken bread with the devil, fallen on my knees to GodSome days I was blessed, some nights I was damned
But I always tried to lend a helping handOnce I was a deceiver, now I am a believer
But it took me, who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I amOh, Ive seen the little children all strung out on dope
No one to care about them, living without hope
But Ive been lucky that I always had a song
Ill sing it with compassion, to try to right the wrongOnce my life was wretched but why should I regret it
'Cause, it took me, who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I amThis 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
Theyre forever in my soul even though we had to partOnce I was a deceiver, now I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where Ive been
To make me who I amGod 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"