Jay-z - The Streets lyrics

Dear God, how can I explain myself? Oh God, bless me indeed when I'm so confused Enlarge my territory Place Your love and protection over me at all times Help me Keep me away from evil, somebody answer me Allow me not to cause pain Police in the background, screamin', "Put the thing down" That's how hard I was trying to put my thing down Sirens ringin' out, old ladies screamin' out All this attention for me and I'm barely sixteen now It's feelin' like a dream now Handcuffed, roughed up, I'm tossed in the bing now I'm lyin' next to fiends now, that's the end of the story Let me bring y'all n***az back to the very first scene now December 4th, a child is born Before I knew it, had my pops trousers on That's how we do it when the man of the house is gone You either stand or fall, I chose to stand The hawk outside, so I blow my hand It's a cold, cold world but I overstand Tryin' to stay focused but I feel hopeless damn Can't cope with bein' broke, I'm a man, c'mon Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you I will be right by your side, when you goin' through Son, just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Get the best of you Late one night I was rollin' the streets Just thinkin' about what's goin' on with me And trapped in this thug life, tryin' to break free But this thug life just keeps callin' me I'm livin' life way too dangerously I'm drownin' in my misery Looked in the mirror, there's my enemy 'Cause poppa never was a part of me "Take one step at a time", mama said Sweet memories still remain in my head All of my life been lied to, misled Voices be like, "Don't you wish you was dead?" No ground to place my feet, I feel the fire under me A way out is all I need, somebody, answer me Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you I will be right by your side, when you goin' through Son, just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Get the best of you Now the only thing left is more spirit to roam free 'Cause ain't no goin' home for me It's a cold, cold world but I blew my hand A true first 'cause I knew that man I knew what he would do if I didn't draw first And I couldn't stand the thought of My momma steppin' foot inside a church All I try to do is try to get up out the dirt Guess, he's tryin' to do the same Told me, get up out his turf I wanted to talk to him but that sh**'d never work We was cut from the same cloth And what was under his shirt was his momma's rent His young brother's clothes, my nephew's food And with that I suppose and with that I froze Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron folds And this story is told for young soldiers Who never choose the life we chose Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you I will be right by your side, when you goin' through Son, just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Get the best of you Tears in my eyes as I look up I'm tryin' to hold back my pride but reality is screamin' Gotta get a job 'cause momma also screamin' Streets are just like d** and it's like I'm out here fiendin' Forget all the hits in the industry 'Cause ain't no exceptions in this game for me Look, neither God or my enemies I choose God 'cause He understands This young man with a thuggish heart Whole world in his hands but still torn apart Like I'm so close but it's still so far Nightmares of me in a swervin' car, oh No ground to place my feet (My feet) I feel the fire under me (Hey) A way out is all I need (All I need) Somebody answer me Son, don't let these streets, get the best of you I will be right by your side, when you goin' through Son, just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Just don't let it (Just don't let it) Get the best of you