Streets & Prayers
Oscar Auliq-Ice
Grew up in the city, life wasn't pretty
Hustling on corners, my crew and fifty
Cold nights, bright lights, dreams of the dough
Rivals shooting shots, evading five-oh
Hunger in my belly, ambition in my veins
Concrete jungle, feeling the chains
Momma tried to warn me, said there's more out there
But all I ever knew was this life of despair
Lost in these streets, heavy burdens I wear
Every night I lay down, whispering a prayer
Lord, if the streets take me 'fore the dawn's break
Keep my soul, for these mistakes I did make
Seen my brothers fall, seen them rise again
Loyalty's the code, till the very end
Gangsta's paradise, where we write the rules
Cash, power, respect; that's the hustle's tools
Dealing with the deals, trying not to get caught
Chasing paper, evading the thoughts
Of a life lost, or a soul sold
But in the game's grip, man, it's a hard hold
Lost in these streets, dreams turning to nightmares
Eyes to the sky, hoping someone up there cares
Lord, if this night's the last I partake
Guide my spirit, my soul please take
Tales of the hood, not just sorrow and pain
Moments of joy, love, and gain
But the shadows lurk, the danger's real
Every hustler knows, that cold steel feel
Diamonds and gold, symbols of the grind
Every step I take, legacy I leave behind
Trust's a luxury, betrayal's cheap
In the world of the wolves, gotta play for keeps
But in quiet moments, I reflect on the cost
All the lives lost, all the souls tossed
To the wind, but I hope for redemption
A street hustler's confession, no pretension
Lost in the hustle, surrounded by warfare
Eyes closed tight, as I say my street prayer
Lord, when the sirens sing, and the lights fade
Remember my heart, not just the path I played
In this urban saga, dreams and despair
All I ask lord, is that you hear my prayer
From these asphalt veins, to the throne up high
Hear the cries of a gangsta, as I touch the sky