ONCE UPON A TIME
T-Bone Lyrics


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[Chorus]
Once upon a time in that Ghetto yo
I used to make the chetta
When I was lounging with the playa and the hustlers yo
And rydin on 'em haters
Just pimpin with them playas from the 415
Hustling everyday just to stay alive
Huh, once upon a time in the ghetto yo-o
I used to make that cheddar

[Verse 1]
Used to be a slave to sin
Smoking indo smoke like the homie Mista Grimm
Now who a thought that years ago I'd be the one reachin him
Prayin in the late night hour crying
Askin' that lord to come on in
Of a broken heart filled with all this hurt and pain
Askin that lord to clear that overcast and all the rain
Cuz there ain't no sunshine in the ghetto
Unless ya got Christ in ya life not the devil
That's what I had though
Demons in my system dogg
Now I'm intoxicated wit the Holy Spirit yall
No more chronic, bionic and gin and tonic
Chocolate tye, or sticky icky, icky
Cuz the Holy Goly gets me high

[Verse 2]
See I was, thugged out
West Cali livin
Straight sinnin in boss hog Cali Pimpin
Straight sippin Gin & Juice, Tangarae and Rum
Steady spittin pimp game from this play tongue
Brim tilted to the left
Leaning in my ride
"Wit that" rims glistering
While I'm whistling
Picture me and chicks kissin in the back of a 64
Devil had me trippin like a wineo' in a liquor store
Thank God bro Jesus broke the Devils chains
Now I'm addicted, shooting this gospel all up in my veins
Can't get enough of the way that he makes me feel
I wanna holla, holla
Ready to die in ya honor
I'm a changed man from the feet up
But stay G'd up
From the street up
So I can reach rydas smoking the weed up

[Bridge]
I just don't know why
These rydas wanna ryde
When they know that
They very well could die
From the bullets of a gage or nine
When ya living in the fast lane commitin 'em crimes
I said I... just don't know why
These plays wanna play
When they know that the world is filled wit AIDS and disease




Baby mamma wit dads who be flossing while they
Kids are broke & dressin in rags

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of T-Bone's song "Once Upon A Time" tell the story of the artist's journey from a life of sin and crime to a life of faith and redemption. In the chorus, T-Bone reminisces about his former life in the ghetto, where he used to hustle every day to make a living. He also talks about how he used to hang out with other players and hustlers, riding on their haters and trying to make a name for himself in the streets.


In the first verse, T-Bone reflects on his past struggles with addiction and sin. He talks about how he used to be a slave to sin, smoking weed and indulging in other vices. However, he had a turning point in his life when he realized he needed to turn to God for help. He describes how he prayed and cried to God, asking for forgiveness and a way out of his pain and suffering. T-Bone also highlights the importance of having faith in God, as it is the only way to find light in the darkness of the ghetto.


In the second verse, T-Bone talks about his former life as a pimp and player. He used to drink and get high off of drugs, living a carefree life and not caring about the consequences of his actions. However, he credits his faith for turning his life around and saving him from a path of destruction. He also mentions how important it is to stay grounded and true to oneself, even as a changed man. T-Bone wants to use his experiences to reach out to other people in similar situations, to help them find their own path of redemption.


Overall, the lyrics of "Once Upon A Time" highlight the transformative power of faith and redemption in the face of adversity. It encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and turn away from destructive habits, and to find hope in the darkest of places.


Line by Line Meaning

Once upon a time in that Ghetto yo
In the past, I used to reside in the ghetto


I used to make the chetta
I used to earn money through illegitimate means like hustling


When I was lounging with the playa and the hustlers yo
I used to frequently spend time with other individuals who were also involved in illegal activities


And rydin on 'em haters
I used to flaunt my success and move forward while leaving behind people who were trying to put me down


Just pimpin with them playas from the 415
I used to associate myself with other gang members who hailed from 415 area code


Hustling everyday just to stay alive
I had to hustle daily to ensure my survival


Once upon a time in the ghetto yo-o
In the past, I used to live in the ghetto


I used to make that cheddar
I used to earn money through illegal means


Used to be a slave to sin
In the past, I used to be trapped in a cycle of engaging in sinful and illegal activities


Smoking indo smoke like the homie Mista Grimm
I used to smoke marijuana like a friend named Mista Grimm


Now who a thought that years ago I'd be the one reachin him
It is surprising to think that now I am the one trying to lead him towards goodness whereas earlier it was the opposite


Prayin in the late night hour crying
I used to pray to God late at night while crying


Askin' that lord to come on in
I used to request the Lord to come into my life


Of a broken heart filled with all this hurt and pain
I used to have a broken heart which was filled with pain and suffering


Askin that lord to clear that overcast and all the rain
I used to ask God to remove all negativity from my life and bring in positivity


Cuz there ain't no sunshine in the ghetto
Life in the ghetto is difficult and lacks positivity


Unless ya got Christ in ya life not the devil
Only when one has Christ in their life and not the devil can they find positivity


That's what I had though
Earlier, I was under the influence of the devil


Demons in my system dogg
My body used to have demons inside it


Now I'm intoxicated wit the Holy Spirit yall
Now, I am intoxicated with the Holy Spirit


No more chronic, bionic and gin and tonic
I don't consume marijuana, alcohol, or any other such harmful substance anymore


Chocolate tye, or sticky icky, icky
I don't consume any type of marijuana anymore


Cuz the Holy Goly gets me high
The Holy Spirit gives me a natural high


See I was, thugged out
I used to be a hardened criminal


West Cali livin
I used to live in Western California


Straight sinnin in boss hog Cali Pimpin
I was involved in sinful and illegal activities, including pimping


Straight sippin Gin & Juice, Tangarae and Rum
I used to consume various types of alcohol


Steady spittin pimp game from this play tongue
I used to speak in a flashy and sly manner, especially when it came to pimping


Brim tilted to the left
My hat brim used to be tilted to the left


Leaning in my ride
I used to lean inside my car while driving


"Wit that" rims glistering
My shiny rims used to sparkle


While I'm whistling
I used to whistle casually while going about my business


Picture me and chicks kissin in the back of a 64
I used to imagine romantic escapades with women inside a 1964 car


Devil had me trippin like a wineo' in a liquor store
The devil had me heavily influenced, similar to how an alcoholic would be inside a liquor store


Thank God bro Jesus broke the Devils chains
I am grateful to Jesus for freeing me from the influence of the devil


Now I'm addicted, shooting this gospel all up in my veins
I am addicted to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ


Can't get enough of the way that he makes me feel
I can't get enough of the positive feeling that I get from Jesus


I wanna holla, holla
I want to shout his praises to the world


Ready to die in ya honor
I am willing to die for God


I'm a changed man from the feet up
I have undergone a complete transformation


But stay G'd up
I still maintain my gang affiliations


From the street up
I am still involved in the street life


So I can reach rydas smoking the weed up
I aim to reach out to other gang members who still consume marijuana, and guide them towards righteousness


I just don't know why
I don't understand why


These rydas wanna ryde
These gang members want to continue their criminal activities


When they know that
Despite being aware that


They very well could die
They could end up dead


From the bullets of a gage or nine
Due to being shot with a gun


When ya living in the fast lane commitin 'em crimes
When you are engaging in criminal activities while living life in the fast lane


I said I... just don't know why
I repeat, I don't understand why


These plays wanna play
These people want to continue living their life recklessly


When they know that the world is filled wit AIDS and disease
Despite being aware that the world is filled with drugs, sex, and other risky behaviors which can lead to diseases like AIDS


Baby mamma wit dads who be flossing while they
Mothers taking care of their children alone while the fathers are busy showing off their wealth


Kids are broke & dressin in rags
The children are poor and don't have proper clothing to wear




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