As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I take a look at my life and realize theres not much left Cuz I've been blastin and laughin so long That even my mama thinks that my mind is gone But I ain't never crossed a man that did't deserve it He be treated like a punk, you know that son heard up You better watch how you talkin' and where you walkin' Or you and your homiez might be lined in chalk I really hate to trip, but I gotta, Loc As they cope, I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool I'm the kinda G the little homiez wannabe like On my knees in the night Saying prayers in the street light
Chorus:
We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Verse Two:
They got the situation They got me facin' I can't live with no more rights I was raised by the stripes So I gotta be down with the hood team Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams I'm an educated fool with money on my mind Got my 10 in my hand and the green in my eye Im a loced-out gangsta set-trippin banger And my homiez is, so don't arouse my anger, fool Death ain't nuthin' but a heartbeat away I'm livin' life doin' time, what can I say? I'm 23, now how will I live to see 24 The way things is goin', I dunno
Chorus:
Tell me why are we so blind to see That the ones we hurt are you and me
We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Verse Three:
Power and the money, money and the power Minute after minute, hour after hour Everybody's runnin', but half of them ain't lookin' At whats goin' on in the kitchen But I dont know what's kickin' They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me If they can't understand it, how can they reach me? I guess they can't I guess they won't I guess they front That's why I know my life is outta luck, fool
Chorus:
We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise We've been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Tell me why are we so blind to see That the ones we hurt are you and me
Tell me why are we so blind to see That the ones we hurt are you and me