Cold World
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

Babies cryin' brothers dyin' and brothers getting knocked
There is immense suffering and violence in the neighborhood, with children crying, people dying, and getting arrested.

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
The situation is intense and difficult in this neighborhood, and I feel trapped and controlled.

In this cold, cold world
The world we live in is harsh, unforgiving, and lacking compassion.

It was the night before New Year's, and all through the fuckin' projects
The setting is the projects on the night before New Year's Eve.

Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
There were constant sounds of gunfire, with different types of weapons being used.

Outside as I'm stuck, by enemies who put fear
I found myself trapped outside, surrounded by enemies who wanted to instill fear in me.

And blasted on the spot before the pigs were dere
I was shot by my enemies before the police arrived at the scene.

You know hoods robbers snipers new in sight, fuck blue and white
In this neighborhood, there are criminals, robbers, and snipers who have no regard for the police.

They escape before them flash the fuckin' lights
The criminals manage to escape before the police can even turn on their flashing lights.

Gunshots, shatter first floor window panes
Gunshots are fired, breaking the windows on the first floor of the buildings.

Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
Bullet casings fall to the ground and blood is spilled, even on the dice used in a gambling game.

Whether broke callisthetic, any style you set it
No matter how financially struggling or physically tough you are, it doesn't matter in this environment.

Beat niggas toothless, physically cut up like gooses
Violent encounters leave people beaten to the point of losing teeth and physically injured like geese being butchered.

But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses
Armed criminals showed no mercy or accepted any excuses when confronting their rivals.

Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
The defensive tactics and maneuvers you've learned are ineffective in this dangerous environment.

Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
Gold chains were forcefully taken from people's necks, leaving scars on their throats.

Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
People's jackets are stolen after being shot, resulting in bullet holes.

Against those who felt the cold from the steel made em fold
People who experienced the brutality of guns were easily overwhelmed and gave up.

And squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
People would confess and give up information when threatened with a gun pointed at their face.

Destruction worker, who was caught for his bomber
A criminal who was caught for his explosive device used for destructive purposes.

No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his Farmer's
The criminal didn't have enough time to use the hammer he carried with him.

And it's bugged how some niggas catch slugs
It's disturbing how some individuals get shot.

And pockets dug from everything except check stubs
Criminals search people's pockets, stealing everything except their pay stubs.

And it does, sound ill like wars in Brownsville
The situation is terrible and reminiscent of wars in the neighborhood of Brownsville.

Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
Similar to deadly robberies that occur in the Red Hook neighborhood, attracting the attention of law enforcement.

For fugitives to shoot cops, niggas layin' on roof tops
Fugitives hide and target police officers, resulting in people being shot and others taking cover on rooftops.

For his CREAM he stashed in a shoebox
A person hid their ill-gotten money (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) in a shoebox.

But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
The person was under police scrutiny, and the neighborhood was full of dangerous young murderers.

You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
The police move cautiously and secretly, like stealthy caterpillars, because you don't anticipate their presence.

And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
Experienced criminals stay hidden and prepared, carrying extra ammunition.

Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
Anyone who tries to escape gets shot in the spine, leading to a higher number of murders.

Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
Just like professional killers who swiftly draw out their handguns and

Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican
Kill those who fold and break easily, like Mexican tacos falling apart.

Rapid, like recipients cashin' checks again
The violence and criminal activities happen quickly, resembling people swiftly cashing their checks.

Back to the motherfuckin' spot on Lexington
Returning to the specific location on Lexington Avenue.

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
We find ourselves running away from the police and firing our guns.

Yo, no time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
We don't have time to hesitate, as undercover police officers approach us in fast cars like Grand Prixs.

And seize packages and pocket the currency
The police confiscate illegal drugs and keep the money for themselves.

Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed
Gangs and organized groups have dominance, firing their fully loaded weapons.

Yellow tape barricades sidewalks where bodies lay
The crime scene is cordoned off with yellow tape, with dead bodies lying on the sidewalks.

Madness strikes at twelve o'clock midnight
Extreme chaos and violence erupts precisely at midnight.

Stick up kids on the ground broke the staircase light
Criminals forcefully rob people on the ground floor, breaking the light on the staircase.

And I stays harassed, scramblin' for petty cash
I constantly face harassment and struggle to find small amounts of money.

Jakes on my ass young bucks is learnin' fast
The police are closely monitoring me, and young criminals are quickly learning the ropes.

357's and 44's
Powerful firearms such as .357 magnum and .44 magnum are in circulation.

Bought inside corner stores, their fire sparks the wars
Weapons are obtained from corner stores, igniting violent conflicts.

Hospital floors surrounded by the law
Hospital wards are constantly guarded by the police.

Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
Detectives interrogate suspects for murder cases, while the police officers guard the entrance.

My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
The neighborhood remains filled with tension, but loyalty among my group keeps us strong.

'Cause niggas main concern is CREAM
Because the primary focus of individuals is acquiring money (Cash Rules Everything Around Me).

Some niggas in the jet black Gallant
Certain individuals drive a sleek and dark black Mitsubishi Gallant.

Shot up the Chinese restaurant, for this kid named Lamont
They opened fire on a Chinese restaurant, targeting a specific person named Lamont.

I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid
I initially believed he was killed, but he only missed hitting a child.

And hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled
Unfortunately, he struck and harmed a twelve-year-old girl in the head before escaping.

Tactical narcotic, task force, back off fast
The police unit responsible for dealing with drugs retreats quickly and tactically.

'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash
Because the leader of the criminal organization is exchanging money secretly.

Extortions, for portions of streets, causes beef
Forcing people to pay for control over specific territories leads to conflicts and rivalries.

Havin' followers of Indians trying to play Chief
Leading to conflicts with Native Americans who are trying to assert control.

You witness the saga, casualties and drama
You observe the ongoing story filled with casualties and dramatic events.

Life is a script, I'm not a actor but the author
Life unfolds like a scripted performance, and I see myself as the one creating the story.

Of a modern day opera, where the main character
The story resembles a contemporary opera, with a central protagonist.

Is presidential paper, the dominant, factor
The most influential element is money, especially the power and influence it holds.

Babies cryin' brothers dyin' and brothers getting knocked
The ongoing suffering and loss of life affects everyone, from infants crying to brothers being killed or arrested.

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
The situation in the neighborhood is intense and overwhelming, and I feel trapped and controlled.

In this cold, cold world
In this harsh and unforgiving world we live in.