As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left Cause 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 didn't deserve it Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like On my knees in the night Sayin prayers in the street light
*L.V.* We've been spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise (repeat) We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paraside (repeat)
Look at the situation, they got me facin I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strict So I gotta be down with the hood team Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams I'm a educated fool with money on my mind Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say? I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'? The way things is goin I dunno
*L.V.* 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 (repeat) We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise (repeat)
Power and the money, money and the power Minute after minute, hour after hour Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me If they cant understand it, how can they reach me? I guess they cain't -- I guess they won't I guess they front; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool
*L.V.* We've been spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise (repeat) We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise (repeat) Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me (repeat)