The Street
R. Kelly & Jay-Z Lyrics

Dear God, how can I explain myself?
Asking for guidance and blessings from God in a time of confusion and uncertainty

Oh God bless me indeed
Asking for God's blessings and protection

When I'm so confused
Expressing confusion and uncertainty

Enlarge my territory
Asking for expansion and growth in life

Place your love and protection over me at all times
Asking for God's love and protection at all times

Help me!
Asking for help and support

Keep me away from evil
Asking to be kept away from harmful and negative influences

Somebody answer me! {*echoes*}
Desperately seeking answers and solutions

Allow me not to cause pain
Asking to not hurt others or cause harm

Police in the background, screamin put the thing down
Being confronted by police while trying to put away a weapon

That's how hard I was trying to put my thing down
Struggling to put away a weapon in a tense situation

Si-rens ringin out, old ladies screamin out
Creating a chaotic and alarming environment

All this attention for me and I'm barely sixteen now
Feeling overwhelmed and exposed at a young age

It's feelin like a dream now
Feeling surreal and unreal

Handcuffed, roughed up, I'm tossed in the bing now
Being arrested and taken to prison

I'm lyin next to fiends now, that's the end of the story
Ending up in prison with drug addicts and criminals

Let me bring why'all niggaz back to the very first scene now
Taking the story back to the beginning

December 4th, a child is born
Referring to one's own birthdate

Before I knew it, had my pops trousers on
Growing up too fast and taking on adult responsibilities

That's how we do it when the man of the house is gone
Taking on a role when the father figure is absent

You either, stand or fall, I chose to stand
Facing a difficult decision and choosing to stand strong

The hawk outside, so I blow my hand
Protecting oneself from danger

It's a cold cold world but I overstand
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life

Tryin to stay focused but I feel hopeless damn
Struggling to stay optimistic despite challenges

Can't cope with bein broke, I'm a man - see'mon
Feeling overwhelmed by financial struggles

[Chorus]
Beginning of the chorus

Son don't let these streets, get the best of you
Giving advice to a loved one to avoid negative influences

I will be right by your side, when you goin through
Promising support and guidance

Son just don't let it (just don't let it)
Repeating the advice to stay strong

Get the best of you
End of the chorus

Late one night I was, rollin the streets
Describing a dangerous situation

Just, thinkin about what's goin on with me and
Reflecting on personal struggles

Trapped in this thug life, tryin to break free but
Feeling stuck in a lifestyle of violence and crime

This thug life just keeps callin me
Feeling trapped and unable to escape a dangerous lifestyle

I'm livin life way too dangerously
Recognizing the risks and dangers of one's lifestyle

I'm drownin in my misery
Feeling overwhelmed by emotional pain

Looked in the mirror, there's my enemy
Realizing that one's biggest enemy is oneself

Cause poppa never was a part of me
Acknowledging the emotional impact of an absent father figure

Take one step at a time, mama said
Recalling words of advice from mother figure

Sweet memories still remain in my head
Reflecting on happier times from the past

All of my life been lied to, misled
Feeling betrayed by those who were supposed to guide and protect

Voices be like, "Don't you wish you was dead?"
Hearing negative thoughts and voices

No ground to place my feet
Feeling lost and without direction

I feel the fire under me
Feeling intense pressure and urgency

A way out is all I need
Desperately seeking a way to escape a difficult situation

Now the only thing left is more spirit to roam free
Feeling liberated and free despite difficult circumstances

Cause ain't no goin home for me
Feeling trapped and unable to return to a normal life

It's a cold cold world but I blew my hand
Taking risks and making bold decisions

A true first cause I knew that man
Acting with knowledge and awareness of the situation

I knew what he would do if I didn't draw first
Anticipating violence and taking action to defend oneself

And I couldn't stand the thought of my momma steppin foot inside a church
Feeling a responsibility to protect loved ones

All I try to do is try to get up out the dirt
Seeking to improve one's situation and escape poverty

Guess he's tryin to do the same, told me get up out his turf
Facing competition and hostility from others in a similar situation

I wanted to talk to him, but that shit'd never work
Feeling unable to communicate with others due to differences and conflicts

We was cut from the same cloth and what was under his shirt was his
Identifying with and recognizing similarities with others in difficult situations

Momma's rent, his young brother's clothes
Feeling a responsibility to provide for loved ones

My nephew's food, and with that I suppose
Acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities of providing for others

And with that I froze
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to act

Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron folds
Feeling trapped and imprisoned

And this story is told, for young soldiers
Telling one's story to others in similar situations

Who never choose the life we chose
Acknowledging the lack of choice and options in difficult circumstances

Tears in my eyes as I look up, I'm tryin to
Feeling emotional and vulnerable

Hold back my pride but reality is screamin
Feeling a conflict between pride and vulnerability

Gotta get a job cause mo-mma also screamin
Feeling pressured by loved ones to improve one's situation

Streets are just like drugs, and it's like I'm out here fiendin
Feeling addicted to and trapped by the dangerous lifestyle of the streets

Forget all the hits in the industry, cause
Dismissing the importance of fame and success in the music industry

Ain't no exceptions in this game for me, look
Feeling excluded and disadvantaged in a competitive industry

Neither God or my enemies, I
Feeling unsupported by both God and enemies

Choose God cause he understands, this
Turning to God for comfort and support

Young man with a thuggish heart
Describing oneself as a young man with a tough exterior

Whole world in his hands but still torn apart
Feeling conflicted and lost despite appearing to have control over one's life

Like I'm so close, but it's still so far
Feeling like success and happiness are just out of reach

Nightmares of me in a swervin car, ohhh
Experiencing vivid and frightening dreams

No ground to place my feet (my feet)
Feeling lost and unsure of one's direction

I feel the fire under me (heyyy)
Feeling pressure and urgency to act

A way out is all I need (all I need)
Desperately seeking a way to escape the difficult situation