Friend
N.Flunders Lyrics


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Chorus: Bone Thugs

Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, how many of us have them?
(How many of us have them?)
Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, ones you can depend on?
(Ones you can depend on?)
Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, how many of us have them?
(How many of us have them?)
Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends,
Before we go any further, let's talk about friends.

[Bizzy]
My mind can't hate 'em, and even all ah tha people gotta support me
When I'm gonna buck it all tha way ta depend
I don't needin' no friend, I
Friends, deep with tha sand in tha ships
So win again, and again, and will ah me friend
Can I get ah witness to knowin' my friend
I trust no cops, not even the one I had to fold
She won't groan, no oh, it was probably me so we go
We know what we know, and tha day ya brotha zapped me
And it's yo' aunty's baby's daddy in Cincinnati
And why'd you trap me (didn't she?) And I'm out there robbing
Ready foe tha war, and then analyze my fresh style, be browsing
Enemiez test and watch out foe my friendz

[Wish]
Bet I got my friends, bet I got mine, bet I got mine, yeah
We straight up killers, we realer
We just want tha money, y'all hataz we don't deserve 'em
Murda one, if we fin' ta go murda dem all, dey fall
They want to see tha Bone fall, y'all
But nah, we too Bone, I remember, back a lil' ways
When we were so hungry, when we were so hungry
But now thank The Lord, my thugs we got money, we got money, hey
We got money to parlay, we got money to parlay
Watch if I miss ya, hit chya
Bet one of these thug-niggas get wit' chya
How ya feel about murder, man?
It's still the same, you fukk wit' us, wang bangarang
It's like suicide nigga do or die
When ya fukkin' wit' mine, we gon' ride in the end
Somebody gon' die tonight, don't be fuckin wit my friends

[Chorus]

[Layzie]
I can tell, wit' tha devil, I'm doin' is workin', Lurkin', approaching
Me like I must suffer, but in order ta prevent event, and your told
To repent. 'Cause I gotta protect my fortune, and that's my friend
Till the end. Rollin' in my Benz, neva thought what was next to occur
Young entrepreneur, who defeat through tha bloody blood, we ready foe
Divide and conquer. Playa hation, infiltration, any situation, y'all
Motherfuckers bring, go prepare foe eternal warfare, and I really don't
Care, 'cause I'm sayin' my prayer to tha Man Upstairz
Keepin' my niggaz out here so strong, and doin' this pain
And strain to survive. Lookin' out foe each-other everyday
And our people's comin' up readin' The Bible
Willin' ta die, if tha wicked is near me, if y'all ever try
Ta come wit' some crooked condition
What it is, just ta book ah thug
Come ah little bit closer nigga
Take ah look at this picture of ah vision of ah mission accomplished
Bone Thugs all tha way 'till tha end, and again, and again, and again
And again, don't try ta come between my, my.

[Chorus]

[Krayzie]
Momma told me watch yo' friends
They can be enemiez within
Quick to pretend like they fit in
Get in, they put it all to an end
I know ya kinda choosed survival, pinned ya
Nigga done tried ta infiltrate the clique, we gonna get ya
No Evil! Get's in me, apart from my people
Militant that's how we choose to roll, and we road warriors
About tha war, tha war, tha war
When you call my name I will be there, I'll be there
Neva got to worry 'bout nobody else
Indeed, and though I know I want mo' time
I need mo' time. Sweat about Armageddon
It's gonna get us, are you ready? What about yo' friends? Friends
'till the very end, through the freezin' wicked winds
Wicked winds. What about yo' friends?

[Flesh~N~Bone]
I've been ready wit' ah bang, I'm here ta bring all tha noize
Don't think you can avoid the wrath, then get 'em with tha math
Not that the fact that the skies be shorted
Thoughted the coast was clear, but you couldn't see ah hidden Flesh
Thought if you'd been in silence
Longer they know that to you, host prepared to crept in yo' crib
Till then and they wanted ta see tha violence
Droppin', gettin' locked and get in stayed in asylum
Livin' life on under the hill. Release that trail
And one ah my niggas been in celled, because I stay high
Smoke, inhale. And I may break it wit' ah nigga, will he suffer
Don't make no mistake, or don't faim his spray
Anticipation ta get you sprayed, but what if he hesitate?
Make my day. They lay, any nigga they would
It be easy ta pick up ah tune. When do we end?
Will they come get this shit done, and over ah partner
Must ah been one of my friends
Betta watch yo' back, other people you think are yo' homies




Open my fist I can pin when ya fallin
I said only Mo' Thug aloud, and only we Souljahz can roll gee

Overall Meaning

The song "Friends" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is about the importance of true friendship and loyalty. The chorus repeats the question "How many of us have them?" to highlight the fact that many people may have acquaintances but only a few true friends that one can depend on. Each member of the group takes a verse to share their personal experiences with friends and how they have learned to trust and depend on them. The verses also touch on the risks and challenges of forming friendships, including betrayal, violence, and the importance of being careful about who you let in your life.


The song was released in 1995 as part of the album "E. 1999 Eternal" and became one of the group's most popular songs. It is considered a classic in the hip-hop culture, and the chorus has been sampled by several other artists in their songs. The song's simple yet catchy chorus has made it a popular anthem for celebrating true friendship and loyalty.


Line by Line Meaning

Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, how many of us have them?
How many true friends do we really have?


Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, ones you can depend on?
Are there friends we can truly rely on?


Before we go any further, let's talk about friends.
Before we proceed, let's discuss the topic of friendship.


My mind can't hate 'em, and even all ah tha people gotta support me
I can't bear ill feelings towards my friends, and even everyone else must support me.


When I'm gonna buck it all tha way ta depend
When I have to risk everything to depend on them.


I don't needin' no friend, I
I don't need any friends.


Friends, deep with tha sand in tha ships
True friends are like hidden treasures.


So win again, and again, and will ah me friend
They consistently bring me victories and are true friends.


Can I get ah witness to knowin' my friend
Can someone testify to truly knowing my friend?


I trust no cops, not even the one I had to fold
I don't trust anyone, not even the person I had to betray.


She won't groan, no oh, it was probably me so we go
She won't complain, it was probably my fault so we continue.


We know what we know, and tha day ya brotha zapped me
We have our secrets, and the day my friend betrayed me.


And it's yo' aunty's baby's daddy in Cincinnati
And it's someone from your family's past in Cincinnati.


And why'd you trap me (didn't she?) And I'm out there robbing
Why did you deceive me? And now I'm involved in criminal activities.


Ready foe tha war, and then analyze my fresh style, be browsing
Prepared for the battle, and then examining my unique style with interest.


Enemiez test and watch out foe my friendz
Enemies test us, but they should be aware of my friends.


Bet I got my friends, bet I got mine, bet I got mine, yeah
I'm sure I have my friends, I know I have mine.


We straight up killers, we realer
We are true killers, authentic and genuine.


We just want tha money, y'all hataz we don't deserve 'em
We only desire wealth, and we don't deserve the hate from others.


Murda one, if we fin' ta go murda dem all, dey fall
Committing murder, if we decide to eliminate all of them, they will fall.


They want to see tha Bone fall, y'all
They wish to witness the downfall of Bone Thugs.


But nah, we too Bone, I remember, back a lil' ways
No, we are too resilient, I recall, from a while ago.


When we were so hungry, when we were so hungry
When we were extremely desperate for success.


But now thank The Lord, my thugs we got money, we got money, hey
But now, thanks to the Lord, my fellow gang members, we have money.


We got money to parlay, we got money to parlay
We have enough money to engage in extravagant activities.


Watch if I miss ya, hit chya
Pay attention, if I fail to notice you, I'll strike you.


Bet one of these thug-niggas get wit' chya
One of these gang members will definitely confront you.


How ya feel about murder, man?
What are your thoughts on murder, man?


It's still the same, you fukk wit' us, wang bangarang
The consequences remain the same, if you mess with us, there will be chaos.


It's like suicide nigga do or die
It's like a suicide mission, either do it or die trying.


When ya fukkin' wit' mine, we gon' ride in the end
When you mess with my people, we will retaliate till the very end.


Somebody gon' die tonight, don't be fuckin wit my friends
Someone will lose their life tonight, don't mess with my friends.


I can tell, wit' tha devil, I'm doin' is workin', Lurkin', approaching
I can sense that I'm doing the devil's work, lurking and approaching.


Me like I must suffer, but in order ta prevent event, and your told
Like I am destined to endure suffering, but in order to avoid a negative outcome, you are instructed.


To repent. 'Cause I gotta protect my fortune, and that's my friend
To repent. Because I need to safeguard my wealth, and that is my friend.


Till the end. Rollin' in my Benz, neva thought what was next to occur
Until the end. Cruising in my luxury car, never considering what will happen next.


Young entrepreneur, who defeat through tha bloody blood, we ready foe
A young entrepreneur, who overcomes obstacles with determination, we are prepared for


Divide and conquer. Playa hation, infiltration, any situation, y'all
Divide and conquer. Hatred from other players, infiltration, any situation, you all


Motherfuckers bring, go prepare foe eternal warfare, and I really don't
Motherfuckers bring trouble, so get ready for an eternal battle, and I truly don't


Care, 'cause I'm sayin' my prayer to tha Man Upstairz
Care, because I'm saying my prayer to the God above.


Keepin' my niggaz out here so strong, and doin' this pain
Keeping my gang members strong, enduring this pain.


And strain to survive. Lookin' out foe each-other everyday
And striving to survive. Watching out for each other every day.


And our people's comin' up readin' The Bible
And our community is rising by studying the Bible.


Willin' ta die, if tha wicked is near me, if y'all ever try
Willing to die, if evil is close to me, if any of you ever attempt


Ta come wit' some crooked condition
To approach with dishonest intentions.


What it is, just ta book ah thug
What it is, just to arrest a thug.


Come ah little bit closer nigga
Come a little bit closer, my friend.


Take ah look at this picture of ah vision of ah mission accomplished
Take a look at this image portraying the fulfillment of a successful mission.


Bone Thugs all tha way 'till tha end, and again, and again, and again
Bone Thugs will persist until the very end, repeatedly.


And again, don't try ta come between my, my.
And again, don't attempt to come between my friends and me.


Momma told me watch yo' friends
My mother advised me to be cautious of my friends.


They can be enemiez within
They can deceive and become enemies from within.


Quick to pretend like they fit in
Quick to act like they belong.


Get in, they put it all to an end
They come in, and they bring everything to a halt.


I know ya kinda choosed survival, pinned ya
I know you have chosen survival, you were cornered.


Nigga done tried ta infiltrate the clique, we gonna get ya
Someone attempted to infiltrate our group, but we will catch you.


No Evil! Get's in me, apart from my people
No evil gets inside me, except for my people.


Militant that's how we choose to roll, and we road warriors
We choose to be militant and act as road warriors.


About tha war, tha war, tha war
Concerning the ongoing war.


When you call my name I will be there, I'll be there
When you summon me, I will be there for you.


Neva got to worry 'bout nobody else
You never have to worry about anyone else.


Indeed, and though I know I want mo' time
Certainly, even though I know I desire more time.


I need mo' time. Sweat about Armageddon
I need more time. Concerned about the destruction of the world.


It's gonna get us, are you ready? What about yo' friends? Friends
It's going to affect us, are you prepared? What about your friends? Friends


'till the very end, through the freezin' wicked winds
Till the very end, enduring the harsh and evil winds.


Wicked winds. What about yo' friends?
Evil forces. What about your friends?


I've been ready wit' ah bang, I'm here ta bring all tha noize
I've been prepared with a bang, I'm here to make a lot of noise.


Don't think you can avoid the wrath, then get 'em with tha math
Don't think you can escape the consequences, then demonstrate the logic.


Not that the fact that the skies be shorted
Not that the fact that the heavens are limited.


Thoughted the coast was clear, but you couldn't see ah hidden Flesh
Believed that it was safe, but you couldn't see a concealed threat from Flesh.


Thought if you'd been in silence
Assumed that you had been silent.


Longer they know that to you, host prepared to crept in yo' crib
The longer they wait, the more they realize that you are a target ready to invade your home.


Till then and they wanted ta see tha violence
Until then, and they desired to witness the violence.


Droppin', gettin' locked and get in stayed in asylum
Getting caught and being locked up, ending up in an asylum.


Livin' life on under the hill. Release that trail
Living a secretive life. Reveal that trail.


And one ah my niggas been in celled, because I stay high
And one of my friends was imprisoned, because I stay high.


Smoke, inhale. And I may break it wit' ah nigga, will he suffer
Smoke, inhale. And I might break it with a person, will they experience pain.


Don't make no mistake, or don't faim his spray
Don't make a mistake, or else don't blame his outburst.


Anticipation ta get you sprayed, but what if he hesitate?
Anticipating to get you sprayed, but what if he hesitates?


Make my day. They lay, any nigga they would
Make my day. They would eliminate anyone.


It be easy ta pick up ah tune. When do we end?
It would be easy to recognize a pattern. When will we stop?


Will they come get this shit done, and over ah partner
Will they come to finish this task and end it, my friend.


Must ah been one of my friends
It must have been one of my friends.


Betta watch yo' back, other people you think are yo' homies
You better be cautious, the people you believe are your friends.


Open my fist I can pin when ya fallin
I will extend my hand to catch you when you are falling.


I said only Mo' Thug aloud, and only we Souljahz can roll gee
I only trust Mo' Thug, and only we Souljahz can roll together.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@andrewsutherland133

@@angeld.7993 well I would like to have a meaningful discussion with you about it so we can both understand the weight of the word, because it really is a unique word. It has a long history of barbarianism and prejudice of the worst kind to the point where no other word in the English language is more off limits to anyone, unless you are the very people who are offended by the word, in which it is socially acceptable to use the word freely, and they take advantage of it.
Although this situation is fictional, it's worth considering it's real life implications:
Here, we have white people enjoying black culture so much, they're quoting it, which will, a black person, is offended. Personally, if it was me, I would just apologize and try to make things right, but let's understand why will was offended. As you pointed out, context doesn't matter, they were not black and not allowed to say it under any circumstance. However, that also implies that they would be allowed to say it because they were black.
I would like you to answer questions, not to trap you, but to further the discussion for us to gain insight by consideration.
1. Why under absolutely no circumstances, is the n word so offensive that a non-black person is not even allowed to quote it?
2. If the word really is so offensive, why is it that the very people who are offended by it are not only able to use it, but choose to do so freely?
3. Should anyone be able to use a word with such a duragatory past if the people offended by it have spined it to turn it into something positive for their community? If so, why?
4. As the culture of the black community has risen in popularity with non-blacks, should they be using if in their own art casually even if they are able to, knowing non-white fans will enjoy the art and take the word less seriously?
Again, these questions are not meant for an argument trap but to incite an insightful discussion



All comments from YouTube:

@mrcrackdonald_1

The original carlton would’ve told them off

@tjlowe1604

Show of hands who likes the original Carlton

@demontiming3234

@@tjlowe1604 everyone

@imtowavy9274

@@tjlowe1604 everyone

@julianG1212

Rap music is for white people that hate themselves 😂

@scaratlas3347

I miss the original 😢

11 More Replies...

@tmarlo5217

Carlton was killing it thou lol 😂

@Rico496

On god

@jaelan5336

fr! then when I heard connor saying nigga I was cringing 😂😂

@ItzSayvo

0:15 I’m LOL

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