The good die young;
I’m trying not to be eligible for that.
The bad outlive everyone;
I’m trying not to be eligible for that.

All I want
Is a stress free life
To be able to relax
And one day have a wife

I was ready for the world,
Well I thought I was,
I just didn’t know
These streets were so dangerous

Looks like this life
Will soon shed us
And it doesn’t seem
My dream of a stress free life matters

I’ve had to hurry up
And become a man
And if I were to kill
I wonder if God would understand

Tonight when you talk to God
Tell him
You can only run, blend in, kill
Or be a victim

Tell him
I hear death calling me
Tell him
To prepare any day for me

I ask for a chair marked
JUNIOR WALKER like i'm a director
Tell those who want me dead
When they come for me they’ll find a struggler

I can’t go on
Not knowing
If my survival is
The beginning or end of my suffering

I don’t want to turn cold
But I could die if I look happy
I can’t dress, talk, walk
Even breath happy

Hold the air in
Better try and make your chest look big
Rules like this
Have become basic

I come home
And read Psalms 23
I know the valley of death stuff is real
But are you there with me

I have to carry a knife
Cause I’m not scary enough without it
Does that guy given me dodgy looks have one
No doubt about it

I read crazy stories in the paper
And think “dat kud ave been you”
From above I see my body on the concrete.
You see it on the news, but it ain’t new,

Just the tribulations of a ghetto kid
Trying to stay strong
Just the meditations of a soul
Trying not to do wrong.

God are you there?
Are you listening? Help me please
I’m begging
Look, I’m on my knees.

I pray
For a better day
Maybe even a peaceful night,
I just want to be eligible for that alright.

Amen.