Dear God, how can I explain myself?
Oh God, bless me indeed when I'm so confused
Enlarge my territory
Place Your love and protection over me at all times
Help me
Keep me away from evil, somebody answer me
Allow me not to cause pain

Police in the background, screamin', "Put the thing down"
That's how hard I was trying to put my thing down
Sirens ringin' out, old ladies screamin' out
All this attention for me and I'm barely sixteen now

It's feelin' like a dream now
Handcuffed, roughed up, I'm tossed in the bing now
I'm lyin' next to fiends now, that's the end of the story
Let me bring y'all niggaz back to the very first scene now

December 4th, a child is born
Before I knew it, had my pops trousers on
That's how we do it when the man of the house is gone
You either stand or fall, I chose to stand

The hawk outside, so I blow my hand
It's a cold, cold world but I overstand
Tryin' to stay focused but I feel hopeless damn
Can't cope with bein' broke, I'm a man, c'mon

Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you
I will be right by your side, when you goin' through
Son, just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Get the best of you

Late one night I was rollin' the streets
Just thinkin' about what's goin' on with me
And trapped in this thug life, tryin' to break free
But this thug life just keeps callin' me

I'm livin' life way too dangerously
I'm drownin' in my misery
Looked in the mirror, there's my enemy
'Cause poppa never was a part of me

"Take one step at a time", mama said
Sweet memories still remain in my head
All of my life been lied to, misled
Voices be like, "Don't you wish you was dead?"

No ground to place my feet, I feel the fire under me
A way out is all I need, somebody, answer me

Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you
I will be right by your side, when you goin' through
Son, just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Get the best of you

Now the only thing left is more spirit to roam free
'Cause ain't no goin' home for me
It's a cold, cold world but I blew my hand
A true first 'cause I knew that man

I knew what he would do if I didn't draw first
And I couldn't stand the thought of
My momma steppin' foot inside a church
All I try to do is try to get up out the dirt

Guess, he's tryin' to do the same
Told me, get up out his turf
I wanted to talk to him but that shit'd never work

We was cut from the same cloth
And what was under his shirt was his momma's rent
His young brother's clothes, my nephew's food
And with that I suppose and with that I froze

Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron folds
And this story is told for young soldiers
Who never choose the life we chose

Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you
I will be right by your side, when you goin' through
Son, just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Get the best of you

Tears in my eyes as I look up
I'm tryin' to hold back my pride but reality is screamin'
Gotta get a job 'cause momma also screamin'
Streets are just like drugs and it's like I'm out here fiendin'

Forget all the hits in the industry
'Cause ain't no exceptions in this game for me
Look, neither God or my enemies
I choose God 'cause He understands

This young man with a thuggish heart
Whole world in his hands but still torn apart
Like I'm so close but it's still so far
Nightmares of me in a swervin' car, oh

No ground to place my feet
(My feet)
I feel the fire under me
(Hey)
A way out is all I need
(All I need)
Somebody answer me

Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you
I will be right by your side, when you goin' through
Son, just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Just don't let it
(Just don't let it)
Get the best of you

Writer : CARTER/KELLY/BARNES
Copyright : Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group