The Roots - One Time lyrics

[Verse 1: Phonte] Yo, the spirit in the sky scream homicide But it was time to ride on some n***as funny talking If too much money talking We make em economize Real rap – no tale spinning, such is the life of a Kam-I-Ka-Ze pilot We wyling out of control until we all make the funny papers like Comic-Con Feared in all streets so, if you ever see me out in y'all streets Find another one to occupy I never hope for the best I wish a n***a would Turn around and walk away I wish a n***a could Listen to my instincts and say f** the rest But once you've had the best better ain't as good Weak-heartedness cannot be involved Stick to the script, n***a - f** your improv Like the samurai The street's Hammurabi Code Play your part, shut the f** up, and do as I was told [Hook] I was always late for the bus Just once can I be on time Then I start to think what's the rush Who wants to be on time Feeling unlucky and if I ever got lucky it was one time In this crazy world [Verse 2: Black Thought] Not a thing I fear besides fear itself This is clearly a lesson learned for someone else Reach for the crown of thorns upon the shelf Cross around my neck I've been taught by stealth Capture this moment in time… it's a smash and grab And where my party people y'all finna have a blast You say goodbye… I say hello first and last Hello-Hello… Now all of y'all elevate your gla** To an example of what time will do to you When those nameless things just keep on eluding you When sh** is new to you and lies is true to you Words of suspects-usual… coming though to you Man, I guess if I was ever lucky it was one time Then I went missing looking for the sublime A n*gga stayed low, left the ladder unclimbed Time after time, verse blank, the line unrhymed [Hook] You ever wonder what's the big fuss... For everyone be on time What's the big deal, why do they feel The need to have us marching on line Feeling unlucky and if I'd ever got lucky it was one time In this crazy world [Verse 3: Dice Raw] I wonder when you die do you hear harps and bagpipes If you born on the other side of the crack pipe N*ggas learn math just to understand the crack price Then drive in head first like the jack knife Cause out here, yo you n***as can't belly flop If you wanna make the noise inside your belly stop One time means being on the front line Being on the front line means ducking one time The pendulum swinging my way- couldn't be more blind n***as talk to the cops? Not even one time Cause we all going down just like the subprime Or a cheap a** half gallon of Ballantine But hopping over gates to escape is sublime Then through the alley way and down to the sub line Tales from the streets A life of high crime To make it to the bottom Such a high climb [Hook] I was always late for the bus Just once can I be on time Then I start to think what's the rush Who wants to be on time Feeling unlucky and if I ever got lucky it was one time In this crazy world