Lecrae - Take Me Up Lyrics
Lyrics
Refrain: Lecrae
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Every day, every day, every day, every day
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Every day, every day, every day, every day
Take me up, take me up, take me up
Take me up, take me up
Take me up, take me up, take me up
Take me up, take me up (Yeah)
Take me up (Huh)
Verse 1: Lecrae
I remember when we hit the block
Selling candy tryna make a knot
Riding bikes up to the corner shop
Now we older and you end up locked up
All of your kids getting bigger
They missing they daddy, they wish you was with 'em
I talk to your mama, she told me don't give up
And pray for her son, 'cause she ain't raise no quitter
I wish I could run it back
I would tell us our daddies ain't coming back
I would tell us if we stick together then we can do anything
We got each other's back
Lost my cousin, I cry every summer now
I beat all of my cases, I wonder how
If it wasn't for God in my life, I'd be wearing them stripes
I'd be laying up underground, yeah
Chorus: WHATUPRG
Mm, been a long time waiting on an answer
Been a long time praying with my hands up
Won't You come through? Father, come through
Won't You come through? Father, come through
Refrain: Lecrae
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day (Take me up)
And we pray, and we pray, take me up (Take me up)
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day (Take me up)
And we pray, and we pray, take me up (Take me up)
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day (Take me up)
And we pray, and we pray, take me up (Take me up)
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Verse 2: Lecrae
Can't be mad at us, if you add it up
Everything we been through, we still managing
Used to drink every night just to handle it
Losing sleep every night from the damages
I was popping them pills in Decatur
Scrolling online and responding to haters
Came from the trenches, no handouts, no favors
Lay awake close hopin' we get 'em later
Hating on me, devil preying on me
Everybody dying, it was weighing on me
Lot of power in me, lot of pain on me
I thank God for people who was praying for me
And we was struggling, tryna pay the rent
Taking losses, trying to get a win
Praying, fighting, through the hardest years
Took a minute, but we made it here
Chorus: WHATUPRG
Mm, been a long time waiting on an answer
Been a long time praying with my hands up
Won't You come through? Father, come through
Won't You come through? Father, come through
Refrain: Lecrae
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day (Take me up)
And we pray, and we pray, take me up (Take me up)
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day (Take me up)
And we pray, and we pray, take me up (Take me up)
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day (Take me up)
And we pray, and we pray, take me up (Take me up)
Take me up, take me up
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Every day, every day, every day
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray (Take me up)
Interlude: Lecrae
Yeah, yeah, uh (Take me up)
Yeah, uh (Take me up), yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh, yeah, uh (Take me up), yeah
Uh (Take me up), yeah, yeah
Outro
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Every day, every day, every day, every day
And we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Every day, every day, every day
Video
Lecrae - Take Me Up (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Lecrae's song "Take Me Up" is a raw and honest reflection on life's struggles, perseverance, and the central role of faith and prayer in navigating hardship. The repeated refrain, emphasizing daily prayer and the plea to "Take me up," establishes a persistent theme of seeking divine elevation, deliverance, or support amidst overwhelming circumstances. This call is not a one-time request but a continuous act, underpinning the narrative that follows.
Verse one delves into personal history, contrasting simple childhood memories of selling candy and riding bikes with the stark reality of friends ending up incarcerated. The emotional weight of separation is palpable, specifically mentioning children missing their father and a mother's plea for prayer and hope. The artist confronts painful losses, including a cousin's death, and reflects on his own brushes with the law, attributing his survival and freedom ("beat all of my cases") directly to divine intervention. The lyrics convey a clear sense that without God's presence, a different, much darker outcome – either imprisonment or death – would have been his reality.
The chorus, featuring WHATUPRG, echoes the sentiment of waiting and persistent seeking. "Been a long time waiting on an answer," combined with "praying with my hands up," paints a picture of fervent, long-standing faith and hope. The direct address, "Won't You come through? Father, come through," is a vulnerable and urgent cry for God's timely action and presence in the midst of trials. It highlights a deep dependency and trust in a higher power to intervene.
Verse two further details the challenges faced. The artist acknowledges the sheer difficulty of their journey, stating they are "still managing" despite everything endured. Past coping mechanisms involving substance use are mentioned, alongside the draining effects of emotional and mental stress ("Losing sleep every night from the damages"). The verse touches on dealing with external negativity ("responding to haters," "devil preying on me") and the heavy toll of loss ("Everybody dying, it was weighing on me"). Amidst this, the lyrics powerfully highlight the strength found in collective faith and support, specifically thanking those who prayed for him. The narrative moves from financial struggles and frequent setbacks to a point of breakthrough, acknowledging that despite the long and hard fight, they have reached a place of survival and perhaps even triumph ("Took a minute, but we made it here"). This journey from the trenches to making it serves as a testament to enduring faith and resilience.
The song's structure, with the persistent refrain framing the personal narratives and the recurring chorus expressing the earnest plea, reinforces the message that prayer and calling out to God are constant companions throughout life's difficulties. The repetition of "And we pray... Every day... Take me up" throughout the song, including the outro, solidifies this practice as fundamental to navigating pain, loss, and struggle. It portrays faith not as an easy solution, but as a sustained effort and a source of strength and hope that ultimately leads to overcoming or enduring even the most challenging circumstances. The message is one of perseverance through faith, acknowledging human frailty while holding fast to the belief in divine support and intervention.