Death Before Dishonour

I've been beaten down, I've been smacked around
 But I never lost my dignity, I've been betrayed
 But 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've got to 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 going 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 could tell you many lies and 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