What I Would Have Said At Virgil’s Funeral

Best Of This article features content which is widely regarded to be the Best Of Kanye West's discography. Though chosen to be highlighted as one of his best, this is always subject to change.

"What I Would Have Said At Virgil's Funeral"Unreleased song by Kanye West, James Blake, No I.D.
General information
Featured artist(s)	Vory
Status	Leaked (V2, V3) Partially leaked (V1)
Recorded	2022
Length	4:31
Intended album	WAR
Producer(s)	James Blake No I.D.

"What I Would Have Said At Virgil’s Funeral" (more commonly referred to as "Always") is an unreleased song by Kanye West, James Blake, and No I.D. that was first played in September 2022, alongside "Showtime" and "Never Coming Back," likely being produced for the unreleased album, WAR.

The song features James Blake singing some repetitive lines before the song breaks into a dance-like groove with Ye repeating "Always." Ye has some verses that are not fully fleshed out and are currently filled with some mumble.

Background

The song was originally previewed by West at a Burberry Spring/Summer 2023 aftershow party in London during London Fashion Week on September 26, 2022. While some thought at first that the song sampled James Blake's 2016 song, "Always", he later clarified on Twitter that it was a new, original recording. He also confirmed that he produced the track along with the other two songs previewed at the event, "Showtime" and "Never Coming Back". A full cut of "Always" was played at Yeezy Season 9, which was held a week later. That version still contained mumble, but revealed more of the track than what was played at the party.

Kanye West, James Blake - Always (Live Debut at YEEZY SEASON 9)

Two versions of the song would leak online in 2023. The first to leak was a version with Vory, removing some of Ye's verses. on September 30. Later, on October 27, the version with Ye's mumble verses would leak, dated April 7, 2022.

On May 18, 2025, a recording of the Donda Academy Student Choir rehearsing a song intended for the YZY SZN 9 show was leaked online. At the end of the rehearsal, the choir director mentioned their intention to record the song. The lyrics have been finished in the recording, but it is unclear whether Ye has recorded them.

Lyrics

[Intro: James Blake]
I know you're angry
But is it at-at me or?
I know you're angry
But is it at-at me or?
I know you're angry
But is it at-at me or?
Or is it at the situation?
Perfect harmony
Bring me to my knees
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving

[Chorus: Vory]
Always
Always
Always (Al—), always
Always, always, always

[Verse 1: Vory]
Ayy, dear God, I guess America's mad at me again
Speaking at ya son, I'm not their friend
They trapped in a box, but I am the box
So they would never understand
Like Vory goin' cray again, Vory goin' Ye again
Like here he go with Ye again
Eyes on me, I guess I'll say it now
I'm like "Who need friends when I got PayPal?"
Went against all odds, I guess they'll pay
Guess I'll be damned
Mad 'cause my opinion do not sit well with him
Guess I'll be damned
Like who said I was canceled?
Cancel me? Nah, never, this shit forever
Cancel me? Nah, never, this shit forever
Cancel me? Nah, never, this shit forever
So the internet's canceled
Yeah, don't believe what they tell you, always
Always, always, always
Always, always, always
Yeah, yeah

[Chorus: Vory]
Always, always
Always, always (Yeah, yeah)
Always, always

[Refrain: Kanye West & James Blake]
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down (Oh, we've mainly been surviving)
Tears come pouring down (Oh, we've mainly been surviving)
Tears come pouring

[Verse 2: Kanye West]
When my train of thought ran off the track
When [?] off the map
When [?] off the tack
I had [?]
We had [?]
[?] summer where they at
[?] where they at
I had [?] got it back
[?] they mad at that
Thank God [?]
Grew up [?]

[Bridge: James Blake]
Oh, we've mainly been surviving (Ooh)
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving
Oh, we've mainly been surviving

[Outro: Kanye West]
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down
Tears come pouring down (Always)
Tears come pouring down (Always)
Tears come pouring down (Always)
Tears come pouring down (Always)