[Verse One] As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left Cause I've been blastin and laughin so long that Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like On my knees in the night, sayin prayers in the street light [Chorus: L.V.] We've been spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise (repeat) We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paraside (repeat) [Verse Two] Look at the situation, they got me facin I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strict So I gotta be down with the hood team Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams I'm a educated fool with money on my mind Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool Death ain't nuthin but a heartbeat away I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say? I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'? The way things is goin I don't know [Interlude: L.V.] Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me [Chorus] [Verse Three] Power and the money, money and the power Minute after minute, hour after hour Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin It's goin on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me If they cain't understand it, how can they reach me? I guess they cain't -- I guess they won't I guess they front; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool [Chorus] [Outro: L.V.] Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me {*choir sings until the end*}