[Verse 1:]
Since the day she was born
She was often told she was beautiful
Didn't understand why Mommy told her
"No, take that ribbon out your hair that we can't afford."
To make it as a star is all she waits for
A blanket in the car is all she call home
Don't wanna live here anymore
By the time she was 12 years old
Pops got close, took all their dough
Now baby gotta do the only thing she know
Begging kids for the clothes
They don't wear no more
And everybody know
So she can't be cool
Rumors goin' 'round at school
Ma, please don't make me go there anymore

[Chorus:]
Who said that a rose can't grow in the ghetto?
Believe it or not
I promise the sun don't only shine in the meadows
You do what you got til
You got it and you're gone
Cause oooh child
Things is going to get easier
Oooh child
Things'll be brighter
[Verse 2:]
Sixteen and she still a child
She tryna be grown and she acting wild
Body like a model and a killer smile
Getting love from dudes
The only way she knows how
She's thinking to herself
There's gotta be more than cutting on a Lexus floor
Mama, don't guys fall in love anymore?

She waking up dizzy at 3:00 and 4:00
She's scared to tell her mom
So she can't abort
Everybody she done been with slams the door
She's down low until the day it's born
But she ain't gonna cry for nothing that spilled
And ain't nobody love the way this kid will

[Chorus:]
I got a rose of my own
Who said that a rose can't grow in the ghetto?
Believe it or not
I promise the sun don't only shine in the meadows
You do what you got til you got it and you're gone
Cause, oooh child
Things is going to get easier
Oooh child
Things'll be brighter