THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Just before dawn
Still hidden from the sun
Children of the night ends their shift
Like zombies to their lair they drift
If you did not know better this would be misunderstood
Is this the beginning or ending of a day in the neighborhood?
All is silent except a dog’s bark
And the rustle of leaves as the wind gusts through the park
Was that the sound of broken glass?
And the screech of tires of a fast car trying to pass?
From a distance can be seen glass shards on the ground weeping for their brothers
They’ve been taken by force as the wind through a broken window uncovers
Testifying as the stolen car Boise sound system hush their cry
And greets the sun over the horizon of the beautiful morning sky.
The sudden sound shatters a beautiful dream just before the alarm sounds
Already there is anger because in a few minutes for work some are bound
With sleepy eyes they wake up with a curse
If only they could get their hands on that S.O.B. they’ll make it worse.
Got to get up and go face the man
Have to try to give him the best I can
No matter how hard you try it seems never enough
That’s why you see so many mean faces you gotta to be tough.
Got to go now and face another day
And catch pure hell as I try to earn my pay
Before I get there I’ll stop by Bro
They never go to bed nor sleep this I hope you know.
They live their lives by playing games of whisk from dusk till dawn
I see Big Man leaving now I guess he has won
No need to knock I’ll walk right in
The sleek smooth Sister starts begging—let me hold ten.
There is the promise she’ll pay me back
The moment she gets herself together on the right track
I say ‘get away from me and take your behind on’
And away she goes and gets some other sucker on the phone.
Calling Big Daddy for some cash
She won’t have it long before she burns and crash
Won’t get a job for this life is so sweet
Got to get a hustle and stay on the streets.
I don’t think I’ll go to work today gotta be with the hommies
See a new chick right now I’ve got the Joneses
Got to make my play and hit fast
With the equipment she’s got it’s gonna be a blast.
She is made for loving from head to toe
Gotta make her mine and keep her coming back for more
Before I make my play there goes the alarm
Dashed to the door to see where’s the harm.
Brothers with a T.V. stashed under their arms
Acting like they are crazy headed for the funny farm
Don’t give a damn if they get caught
They gotta see the dealer and another high be bought.
Neighbors stick their heads out and see nothing at all
Most have telephones but the Police they will not call
Being contented and happy it wasn’t them who got the sack
Maybe it’ll be Joe next time they come back.
Some try to go back to sleep but the alarm won’t snap
There are those who swear they are going to get even they are tired of this crap
It is just a fleeting thought that goes through their heads
To interfere in stuff like this sooner or later you’ll wind up dead.
Around early morn just before noon
The Beer and Wine Store is crowded got to get there soon
It’s a gas and a gig and full of rap
I’m sick of my lady’s mouth she is full of crap.
Might as well leave and be on the roam
Because there is no peace at my home
The sound of anger and cursing fills the air
I might as well be with the hommies than to be here.
The sound of a siren blasts the air
Doing a hundred miles an hour Cops are going somewhere
The way it looks something is going down big
Let me blow and check out this gig.
It has got to be over at Elmo’s Place for the direction they are heading
Going to be some busted heads this I’m dreading
Just a few minutes ago when I was passing by
Dig this, there was some Brothers doing superfly.
The boys at Elmo’s Place are rolling in dough with a lot of cash
It’s going to be a sad day when the Man gets their stash
Some heads are gonna roll cause there was a slip
Someone is not going to use the bathroom for a week and not eat with a busted lip.
As gunshots play their dismal tune in the humid summer air
From a bedroom window a mother can only stare
From shock finally her throat bursts open with a chilling scream
This could not be real it must be a terrible dream.
Young Jo Jo lies still on the wet sidewalk
The neighbors begins to whisper and talk
As the shootout ends with much to dread
Two people are wounded and one dead.
How could life be so cruel to young Jo Jo
He only wanted to play and ride his bike once more
And now his friend will have to play alone
Jo Jo has finally got a Father now that he has gone.
A mother’s tears and screams of torment drowns the siren of the ambulance
As Jo Jo bids farewell to the Hood not knowing he never had a chance
From the day he was born there was a struggle to stay alive
One minute to the next trying to survive.
Out of here Mother would leave if she could
And try to help another to do some good
But she must stay and raise a flag where her dead son once stood
Leaving is just a dream and there is no such thing for she is trapped in the neighborhood.
When she should be sleep and resting in bed
She’s out doing things distasteful so the children can be fed
Each month that little paycheck won’t pay the bills
And the little heater in the corner won’t keep out the morning chill.
As soon as her man has had enough
Off he goes looking for other stuff
Looking for a young sweet thing to play his game
And puts it on his lady he left she is to blame.
She didn’t give him the children lunch money for some blow
And to the streets in a rage he go
Only to be met by another Brother with an attitude
He see right now he’s gonna have to whip this dude.
Gotta make him pay for the other day
When he disrespected me, hey hey hey
Can’t have this for my Hommies are looking
Gotta make my move now or keep on booking.
If I keep booking I’ll never be any good
I might as well lie down and die because this is the neighborhood
You must always make a statement that is understood
Only the strong survive with nothing in the neighborhood.
You don’t back down
From no clown
Even when it is against principle and there is a flaw
You never give in this is Ghetto’s law.
After breaking his nose got to get something to eat I’m hungry as hell
I’ll stop by Joe’s diner and speak with Nell
Ain’t got no money and cannot pay
Have to sweet talk Nell until she say…
“O.K., O.K. this time but don’t bring your behind back here”
I’m in and out before she starts tripping, hell; I’ll be doing this next year
She can tell me all she wants to hit the door
About this time tomorrow I’ll be back for more.
The sun is about to set and the streets are alive
Brothers and sisters out to play full of jive
And before the streetlights are on and well lit
A couple of derelicts are in a dark corner trying to get a hit.
The well respected make quick feet to their cars
Trying to stay clear of those who’ve been behind bars
To make it home and say their prayers
And glad to see the home that was ripped of was not theirs.
They turn on the T.V. set with their neighbor on the screen
About the shootout around the corner and the T.V. set stolen nobody seen
It’s getting late but by the boom boxes you can’t tell
Somebody is drawing a crowd at a car with something to sell.
Something to make somebody get high
There is plenty for all if they have money to buy
When kids should be at home in bed
They are out late night hour trying to make some bread.
Mom and dad have thrown all hope to the wind
And left them on their own for themselves to defend
Desperation and despair has gone beyond all hope
In another world those in the Hood now grope.
To fall asleep and wake another day
Is all one can hope for in the Hood the games life play
If many had the courage they would end it swiftly if they could
And end the misery once and for all of living in the neighborhood.
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