Spare the Rod
They called us at risk youths
Disadvantaged
Said we had attention deficit disorders
Destined to live the life of the lawless
Like wizards of oz reading our fortunes
Unfortunately most they fortunes is warnings
Crystal ball visions of you in a coffin
Mama tryna keep us safe
Always tried to keep the peace
But she ain’t spare no rod quick to give her children beaten Like she tryna calm the savage beast
Slave whippings yeah slave whippings
Welts lookin like Kunta kente
This gonna hurt me more than it hurts you
No disrespect but I beg to differ
Fast forward, got my own child mmm I don't think I ever hit her
But I don't live her
But I build wit her
But still nigga shit real nigga
That everyday 24/7 parenthood shit hit different nigga
In a land where police is even killing children
Like damn yeah yeah they killing children
Chorus:
Whitney said the children are the future
Now its future we all grown up
Some aint make it, some had babies
Got me thinking back when we were young
The children are the future
Now its future we all grown up
Some ain't make it, some had babies
Got me thinking back when we were young (young)
I was always told don’t start none won’t be none
Somebody hit you hit’em back
Mommy taught me that, Pop taught me how to scrap kinda
You know them boxing lesson Hit my hands both palms up
He Crouched over moving his hands like a moving target
Tryna be a father, tryna be a dad
Couple of lessons teachin' his adolescent how to be a man
Jab jab right hook
Jab jab haymaker
Keep ya guard up
Front ya face Dont leave ya head open
Meanwhile the murder rate was goin' up
I’m talkin' bout North Philly 90’s nigga shit was wild as fuck
First time I got stuck
They got me for my little chain
Came home huffin puffin, left back out holdin' that thing
Chorus:
Whitney said the children are the future
Now its future we all grown up
Some aint make it, some had babies
Got me thinking back when we were young
The children are the future
Now its future we all grown up
Some ain't make it, some had babies
Got me thinking back when we were young (young)
Hey Young World (the world is yours)
Hey Young World (the world is yours)
Young World, Young World...