The Pride Of Chicago
Art & Lyrics
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11
I thought every child was living the same life I was living, with the same challenges, triumphs, and embarrassments I was experiencing. I don't remember what age I was when I started to understand that not all families were living under the same financial circumstances. I never felt we were "wealthy," but I also have never experienced the struggles of the “inner city”; I only know that those struggles are real, and I wish they were not. I feel great empathy for those who face these challenges every day. My perception of trying to escape these struggles is that it must be like trying to climb out of quicksand. You either need some help, or be very fortunate, or very talented… or more likely, all of the above. For decades, show business and professional sports have provided a “ticket” out for many. I am a fanatical football fan. To me, it is the most amazing sport ever conceived. I cannot imagine the NFL without the constant influx of talent from the inner city. Talent alone might not be enough to enable you to escape. The stars must line up to be noticed, and I would still venture a guess that only a small percentage of the enormous potential ever makes it out. Imagine the amazing talent from these urban areas that just never quite secured that opportunity. It is mind-blowing and very sad. This is a song about one such young man, a person who had every ingredient to succeed except one… time. Let's pray for the others.
The Pride of Chicago
words & music c 1999 by JRRothrock
Running through the streets of Chicago
... living’s hard in this part of town.
“Little Willie” learned his tricks on the corner,
... playin’, as he was getting’ it down.
Never knowing anything different
… than savoring every breath that you take.
Where guns, as toys, were stealing life from little boys
… and your Daddy’s gone, for goodness’ sake!
Willie wants to be a football hero!
… be the apple of everyone’s eye!
In blazes or glory… It’s such a desperate story
… when your heart’s reaching out for the sky!
Willie would say, “Hey, Mr. Hero, can’t you see
… I wanna be like you?”
“I’m gonna make it to the big-time
… if it’s the last thing I do!”
Then he would work with soul possessed.
With his dream, he was obsessed.
“I’ll give my all in everything I do-o-o!
You know I love you, Brother…
… but I don’t wanna be like you!”
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(You’re gonna make it, baby, but…
... you know, you’ll only make it if you try!!!)
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He knew he could become the “Pride of Chicago”
… so he gave it everything that he had!
In a town without pity, he held the hopes of the city
… then on a dime, the story turned so sad!
Jogging home one night from his workout
… he was cornered by a desperate crowd
… and when they snuffed Willie’s life with the flash of a knife
... there fell a silence that was deafeningly loud!
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From the pride that was always inside him
… to his spirit; we were never so proud!
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But he’s still running through the streets of Chicago!
Willie, we’re cheering you wherever you are!
No! It wasn’t a lie… and as I look to the sky
... I see you’ve made it… You are finally a STAR!!!!!
(Run, Willie, run… look to the Son!)