Dear God, how can I explain myself?
Oh, God, bless me indeed (when I’m so confused)
Enlarge my territory (uh)
Place your love and protection over me at all times (help me)
Keep me away from evil
(Somebody answer me!) Allow me not to ’cause pain

Police in the background screamin’, « Put the thing down »
That’s how hard I was tryin’ to put my thing down
Sirens ringin’ out, old ladies screamin’ out
All this attention for me and I’m barely 16 now
It’s feelin’ like a dream now
Handcuffed, roughed up, I’m tossed in the bing now
I’m lyin’ next to fiends now, that’s the end of the story
Let me bring y’all – back to the very first scene now

December fourth, a child is born
Before I knew it, had my pops trousers on
That’s how we do it when the man of the house is gone
You either stand or fall, I chose to stand
The hawk outside, so I blow my hand
It’s a cold-cold world, but I overstand (trust)
Tryin’ to stay focused but I feel hopeless, damn
Can’t cope with bein’ broke, I’m a man, c’mon

Son, don’t let these streets get the best of you
I will be right by your side when you goin’ through
Son, just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Get the best of you

Late one night, I was rollin’ the streets
Just thinkin’ about what’s goin’ ‘on with me and
Trapped in this thug life, tryin’ to break free but
This thug life just keeps callin’ me
I’m livin’ life way too dangerously
I’m drownin’ in my misery
Looked in the mirror, there’s my enemy
‘Cause poppa never was a part of me

« Take one step at a time, » momma said
Sweet memories still remain in my head
All of my life been lied to and misled
Voices be like, « Don’t you wish you was dead? »
No ground to place my feet
I feel the fire under me
A way out is all I need
Somebody, answer me

Son, don’t let these streets get the best of you (oh-oh)
I will be right by your side when you goin’ through (oh-oh)
Son, just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it) (oh-oh)
Get the best of you

Now the only thing left is more spirit to roam free
‘Cause ain’t no goin’ home for me
It’s a cold-cold world, but I blew my hand
I drew first ’cause I knew that man
I knew what he would do if I didn’t draw first
And I couldn’t stand the thought of my momma steppin’ foot inside a church
All I try to do is try to get up out the dirt
Guess he’s tryin’ to do the same, told me get up out his turf

I wanted to talk to him, but that sh-‘d never work
We was cut from the same cloth and what was under his shirt was his
Momma’s rent, his young brother’s clothes
My nephew’s food, and with that I sqooze, and with that I froze
Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron poles
And this story is told for young soldiers who never choose the life we chose

Son, don’t let these streets get the best of you (don’t let it)
I will be right by your side when you goin’ through (when you goin’ through)
Son, just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Get the best of you

Tears in my eyes as I look up, I’m tryin’ to
Hold back my pride, but reality is screamin’
Gotta get a job ’cause momma also screamin’
Streets are just like drugs, and it’s like I’m out here fiendin’
Forget all the hits in the industry, ’cause
Ain’t no exceptions in this game for me, look
Neither God nor my enemies, I
Choose God ’cause he understands, this

Young man with a thuggish heart
Whole world in his hands but still torn apart
Like I’m so close, but it’s still so far
Nightmares of me in a swervin’ car, oh
No ground to place my feet (my feet)
I feel the fire under me (hey)
A way out is all I need (I need)
Somebody, answer me

Son, don’t let these streets get the best of you
I will be right by your side (I’ll be) when you goin’ through (when you goin’ through)
Son, just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Just don’t let it (just don’t let it)
Get the best of you