One steps down the path of poverty, most know the route
Not a pot to piss in or a door to throw it out
All I hear these days, we say, she say, we say, anywayHe grows, she grow, we grow, listen negro
(Listen)
I die, you die, few die, who rob
(It's)
Do or die
You fry, I fry, new play, new day, new GodTell me, what's the sense of this?
Tell me before they gotta jail me and nail me
Had to mention it
You've never been to the ghetto till you had to enter thisSome plans, one chance, hold heat, hold head, hold their's
(Hold ya head)
Peep rules, weak proof, meet troops, speak truth, teach youth
(Teach the youth)
No crews, who's who, new day, new rules, do youBreak bread, wake heads, check heads, half-a-head for snake feds
(Check 'em)
They'll lock your body, even Gotti, grab your shotties for an Illuminati
(Be ready)
They'll lock your body as Gotti, grab your shotties, it's an IlluminatiOpen your eyes up, people can't you see?
It's gettin' harder by the day for you and me
All my life I've seen so much misery
Can there be a better place for you and me?Why everytime you try to show a nigga love, they shit on you?
Fuck I'm suppose to do?
Why everytime a brother comin' up some pray ya through?
That's what success'll do'Cause I'm a hard workin' black man
In my face, stab in my back, man
Rob and steal, they wanna kill me, black man
Tell me now what the deal is black manDon't you know the powers in our hand?
'Cause we shine, we end up six feet in land
When we could build one nation
And it's comprised of all persuasionAfrican, Latin, Caucasian, Asian
New World Order, Hip-Hop Nation
Then we can turn hate to love
Like Malcolm and Martin tripped up, open up your eyesOpen your eyes up, people can't you see?
It's gettin' harder by the day for you and me
All my life I've seen so much misery
Can there be a better place for you and me?Here today, gone tomorrow
Live then lay, here tomorrowTell me, what's the sense of this?
Tell me before they gotta jail me and nail me
Had to mention it
You've never been to the ghetto till you had to enter thisWhat's the sense of this?
Tell me before they gotta jail me and nail me
Had to mention it
You've never been to the ghetto till you had to enter thisOpen your eyes up, people can't you see?
It's gettin' harder by the day for you and me
All my life I've seen so much misery
Can there be a better place for you and me?Feel me, the end of the century
Feel me, they want us in wakes and penitentiaries
(Open your eyes)
That's how the envy be
Now they got it, we our own enemiesFeel me, the end of the century
Feel me, they want us in wakes and penitentiaries
(Open your eyes)
That's how the envy be
Now they got us, we our own enemies
Songwriters
GIST, KEIR/BROWN, VINCENT VINNIE/CRISS, ANTHONY/JOHNSON, GEORGE HENRY/JOHNSON, LOUIS E.Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC