I made a few mistakes
But rappin wasnt one
Twelve yrs old i had my first handgun
Crimes were felonious you couldnt know the half
Behind that little smile i just been tryin to find my path
The city is a system
The system of a down
When u raise a child of color in a violent southern town
Like jesus with his crown its weighin heavy on my head
The only difference is the bullets that could lay me in my bed
And never bring me back - so im like water on this track
Let it flow down to the bottom where the thirsty folks is at
And drink it like its wine maybe that could ease our minds
Evrey day my people dyin and it aint from lack of tryin
We reach for somethin better and stretchin out our hands
We peaceful wit tha man but they aint meetin our demands
And so we got to strive before the nation takes a dive
My people still survive because im living life in live
Don't you think you'll run away
Don't you think you'll give it all
Don't you think you'll run away
Don't you think you'll give it all
Don't you think you've had enough
Don't you think you've run away
Far away, far away
From it all
You should know the jealousy can infiltrate ya team
You got tha role players gettin caught up in they dreams
Instead of stayin focused on tha task we got at hand
Complainin to ya girl but just dont say it to tha man
You should know your post and have the sense to never leave it
Every coach he needs some players on the bench he can believe in
Just play your position -f the recognition
If You selfish on tha team well then u messin up the mission
Cuz yo i got a goal and best belive its been achieved
If you reachin out for stardom all thats left to do is grieve
Cuz time has passed you by like dat that chik did fatlip
Fore u openin your mouth think you need to get grip
Like a plumber to a wrench i know how to deal wit tools
And i never had no time for u dabblin wit petty fools
Check tha rules of tha game before you start to play it
If your thoughts are negative well then you probably shouldnt say it
Don't you think you'll run away
Don't you think you'll give it all
Don't you think you'll run away
Don't you think you'll give it all
Don't you think you've had enough
Don't you think you've run away
Far away, far away
From it all
Sounds like some advice that ya mama shoulda told ya
This life is kinda harsh but know my pen is even colder
Not a minstrel show but im tap dancin on ya ego
Sometimes i really wonder what is up with all you people
Who steady wanna judge like they bangin on some gavels
Dont need em in my life so i just wish em happy travels
Im focused on them things that down inside i deem important
These little debbie downers f the way that they comportin
Now i dont do it often but i gotta prove a point
These haters take your words and then they twist it like a joint
So i had to make make it clear - by murderin up the track
When you losin your respect you know its hard to get it back
Consider this a warning - to think before you speak
Theres bit role players gettin fired every week
And this is signed sincerely by the man thats still in charge
Im down with Art Of Shades and callin mayday on these bars
Don't you think you'll run away
Don't you think you'll give it all
Don't you think you'll run away
Don't you think you'll give it all
Don't you think you've had enough
Don't you think you've run away
Far away, far away
From it all