Cold World - GZA

I had a bad dream

Don't be afraid bad dreams are only dreams

What a time you chose to be born in

Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

It was the night before New Year's

And all through the f**kin' projects

Not a handgun was silent not even a tec

Outside as I'm stuck by enemies who put fear

And blasted on the spot before the pigs were dead

You know hoods robbers snipers new in sight f**k blue and white

They escape before them flash the f**kin' lights

Gunshots shatter first floor window panes

Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game

Whether broke callisthetic any style you set it

Beat niggaz toothless physically cut up like gooses

But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses

Therefore your fifty two hand blocks was useless

Links was snatched off necks scars on throats

Jackets took after bullet rips through coats

Against those who felt the cold from the steel made 'em fold

And squeal once the metal hit the temple of his grill

Destruction worker who was caught for his bomber

No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his farmer's

And it's bugged how some niggaz catch slugs

And pockets dug from everything except check stubs

And it does sound ill like wars in Brownsville

Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where Feds look

For fugitives to shoot cops niggaz layin' on roof tops

For his cream he stashed in a shoe box

But he was hot and the strip was filled with young killers

You don't suspect so cops creep like caterpillars

And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets

Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae increase the murder rate

Similar to hit men who pull out tecs and then

Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican

Rapid like recipients cashin' checks again

Back to the motherf**kin' spot on Lexington

Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

We be runnin' from the cops bustin' off shots

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

Yo no time to freeze under covers ease up in Grand Prix's

And seize packages and pocket the currency

Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed

Yellow tape barricades sidewalks where bodies lay

Madness strikes at twelve o'clock midnight

Stick up kids on the ground broke the staircase light

And I stays harassed scramblin' for petty cash

Jakes on my a** young bucks is learnin' fast

357's and 44's

Bought inside corner stores their fire sparks the wars

Hospital floors surrounded by the law

Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door

My hood stay tense loyalty puts strength in my team

'Cause niggaz main concern is cream

Some niggaz in the jet black Gallant

Shot up the Chinese restaurant for this kid named Lamont

I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid

And hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled

Tactical narcotic task force back off fast

'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash

Extortions for portions of streets causes beef

Havin' followers of Indians trying to play Chief

You witness the saga casualties and drama

Life is a script I'm not a actor but the author

Of a modern day opera with the main character

Is Presidential papers the dominant factor

You never looked at me

But you said to this chunk

But you looked so lost as I walked on by

Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

We be runnin' from the cops bustin' off shots

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world

We be runnin' from the cops bustin' off shots

Sh*t is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold cold world