[Intro]
C#          B              Am
This is as real as it gets y'all
And it don't get no realer than this
This is as real as it gets y'all, huh

[Verse 1]
C#               B
Maybe my mother, coulda been my father
A                          B
Perhaps it was my sister, probably my brother
Maybe the church, coulda been the street
Perhaps it was the guitar, or Jerry Wonder beats
Maybe the money when I didn't have a dime
Maybe a way out before committing crimes
Coulda been Lauryn, perhaps it was Pras
Probably the mirror looking dead in my eyes
Coulda been reggae, or the love of hip-hop
Maybe my fans at the show saying don't stop
Probably the struggle of all refugees
Maybe the sign how the diamonds bling-bling, ching-ching
Ring ring, there's a call from my wifey, whoo
Perhaps I gotta make it home but music keep calling me
And maybe it's all I know, whatever it is I'm grateful for being

[Chorus]
   C#                   B
A man with a guitar, a dude from the streets
   A                  B
A cat with a song, a ReFugee MC
C#              B
Wyclef Jean, a Fugee for life
  C#               B
A preacher's son, first one on the run
      A              B
I'm grateful that I haven't been shot
C#                            B
Stopped by the cops and they didn't find a glock
C#    B            A         B
W-Y-C-L-E-F, I'm grateful

[Verse 2]
Coulda been a crack fiend with no place to go
Lord, oh mighty God, have mercy on my soul
Coulda been Pablo, king of Yayo
Or a pimp with a limp screaming we don't love them hoes
Oh no, God knows, perhaps I was chosen
A source of inspiration for the next generation
And maybe it's all I know, whatever it is I'm grateful for being

[Chorus]
A man with a guitar, a dude from the streets
A cat with a song, a ReFugee MC
Wyclef Jean, a Fugee for life
A preacher's son, first one on the run
I'm grateful that I haven't been shot (shot)
Stopped by the cops and they didn't find a glock (glock)
W-Y-C-L-E-F, I'm grateful

[Verse 3]
Everybody sing along now
You can make it like I made it
Don't let anyone tell you different
When doors close another door will open
Many have called but my people are chosen
You can make it if I made it
Don't let anyone tell you different
When doors close another door will open, yeah
Many have called but my people are chosen, yeah

[Chorus]
A man with a guitar, a dude from the streets
A cat with a song, a ReFugee MC (yeah)
Wyclef Jean, a Fugee for life
A preacher's son, first one on the run
I'm grateful that I haven't been shot (shot)
Stopped by the cops and they didn't find a glock (glock)
W-Y-C-L-E-F, I'm grateful