If I

[Verse 1: Brer Rabbit] If I hadn't been a quiet introspective kid If I hadn't been a nerd, wouldn't have met with him If we hadn't observed we'd be the best of friends That preferred the spoken word to the toke and binge If momma hadn't died when I was young Would me and sis been so tight from jump? If dad hadn't lost his mind to a disease Would I be up here askin' ya'll to notice me? In the dark times, didn't know where the path went I was close to the edge like Grand Master Flash said It was hands of my friends that held me back Yes, without them I'd MJ keep slidin' backwards Or be a hypocrite like some others have been If that and the other hadn't happened Don't know that I'd ever been Brer Rabbit Askin' how many if's between hero and has-been? [Hook] If I, if I, if I had only known That I would be a lamb to the slaughter Now I know If I, if I, if I had only known I know, I bet it only makes me stronger Now I know, now I know Now I know, know, know Now I know, now I know Now I know, know, know [Verse 2: Jonny 5] If I hadn't grown up in the 80's Experiencing the various things that made me Would I still be standing center stage Trying to innovate new ways to demonstrate? If mommy-daddy hadn't turned off Mork and Mindy To inform us divorce was pending Would him and me have spent these 23 years in a frenzy Moving back and forth with such forceful energy? I remember when I was a little baby Lying there alone on my pillow casing Upset already I could feel the aging The urge to return was debilitating And maybe I'm still afraid and need to Cry a little harder for the world of play things Stop looking back on these silly day dreams Sing along with me if you feel the same way [Hook] If I, if I, if I had only known That I would be a lamb to the slaughter Now I know If I, if I, if I had only known I know, I bet it only makes me stronger Now I know, now I know Now I know, know, know Now I know, now I know Now I know, know, know [Verse 3: Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit] If I had known what awaited was unplanned If I had known the blade was in a loved one's hand If I had known of the possible injury If I had known the altar was meant for me But now I know nobody can predict events And now I know there's cracks in the picket fence Now I know that something else exists And now I know a life can be built from this If I had known emotions would still remain If I had known that time wouldn't heal the pain If I had known the intent of the injury If I had known the altar wasn't meant for me Now I know there's treasure hidden in these scars Now I know there's presence in an empty yard Now I know what it took for me to survive But now I know where to go to become alive [Hook] If I, if I, if I had only known That I would be a lamb to the slaughter Now I know If I, if I, if I had only known I know, I bet it only makes me stronger Now I know, now I know Now I know, know, know Now I know, now I know Now I know, know, know