A Glimpse at the Struggle

[Intro: Mr. Lif] How the hell did it get to this? This what I gotta do? Mic check Mic check Check [Verse] Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em Real deal McCoy 'em This kid got gold teeth? Fuck it, coin 'em So we can get some loot inside our pockets My man who just did a bid said, "You haven't tried it, don't knock it" I wear the rings of Saturn on my knuckles like truck jewels For forty acres and a mule, I'm down to buck fools My two illest thoughts Could make the world a realm of lost souls Keep my mind in two poles Peep the world through two holes In my head juxtaposed I sight and murder foes On the low, I conjure flows The way that it's supposed to be I drew ten rings around the rosary I'm 'bout to rob this store I need some loot and some groceries I need a loaf or three, butter Fuck another night of hunger I've been a good man and I don't deserve to suffer After this night, I'll return to being peaceful Put that on my people Word to Big Shank and Little Petho Yo, do you recall the days when brothers used to chill? Flex on the mic and display ghetto appeal? Yo, those were the days when it was really real Yo, those were the days when it was really real But we'll all get it back together one day But until then, it's 'nuff gun spray Jah bless my head with every night I lay And I pray for a brighter day But anyways, gotta get them thoughts out of my mind now Wipe the sweat off my eyebrow Nostalgic thoughts bring my high down "Lie down, you two niggas in the second aisle" First brother shook with fear While the second nigga caught a smile "Why you doing that? Why don't you strip like Gaza?" This nigga yells out, "Well, you's a frontin'-ass Rasta" "By my actions, I'd have to say that that's true But shut the fuck up, I didn't ask you I might blast you if I have to No mask, dude They won't find me, even if you I.D But, yo, thanks for checkin' me" Then unexpectedly This pet nigga right behind the counter started wetting me Nine millimeter weaponry Goya beans leaking on the chest of me Nobody understands society molested me They'll just question the nature of the ongoings Cleanup crew pray my blood stop flowing All my enemies out on the block gloating Plus the government is smiling 'Cause they smell the scent of death blowing Just showing that they plan's running precisely "This nigga ought to fit into a wood box nicely" Ghetto stress, had my own fuckin' people ice me If you look, you can find me On a corner store tile floor Another landmark of the ghetto eyesore Is it all worth to die for? No [echoes] It's not worth it It's not worth it [Indistinct continued talking over echoes of "No"] [Outro: Fakts One, NASA and El-P] [Fakts One] Yo, oh, shit, money This dude just got shot, son [NASA] He got shot? [Fakts One] Yeah, fuckin' shot, dog, tryna rob a store [El-P] Yo, what's up, dog? You got to... yo, what the fuck is this? [Fakts One] That's fucked up, yo [El-P] Yo, I think I went to... [Fakts One] Yo, this ain't cool, though [NASA] We gotta get out of here, man [Fakts One] Yo, this ain't cool, though, I'm out [El-P] Yo, where you going? [Fakts One] We gotta get the fuck outta here This kid's wylin', he's wylin', I'm out [El-P] Yo, I think I went to high school with this kid [Scratches] "I'ma live life after this one crime"