Neighborhood Square Dance

As I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death

I take a look at my life and realize there's much left'

Cause I've been brassin' and laughin' so long that

Even my Mama thinks that my mind is gone

But I never crossed a man that didn't deserve it

Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of

You'd better watch how you talkin', and where you're walkin'

Or you and your homies might be like a chap

I really hate to check but

I gotta look

As they croak

I see myself in the pistals smoke ... fool

I'm the kind of cheater little homies wanna be like

On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the street light

Been spending most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

They got the situation, they got me facin'

I can't live with no more right,

I was raised by the street

So I gotta be damned with the hood team

Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams

I'm a educated fool with money on my mind

Got my 10 in my hand and a gleam in my eye

I'm a loped out placeto certain trippin' banker

And my homing is down so don't arouse my anger ... fool

Dead bay nothin' but a heart beat away

I'm livin' light, do or die, what can

I sayI'm 23 now but will

I live to see 24

The way things is goin'

I don't know

Tell me why are we so blind to see

That the ones we hurt are you and me

Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

The Power and the money, money and the power

Minute after minute, hour after hour

Everybody's money, but half of them ain't lookin'

It's goin' on in the kitchen, but

I don't know what's cooking

They say I've got to learn but nobody's there to teach me

If they can't understand 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 out of luck for

Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Keep 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 ...