Way Of Life Lyrics - Dead Prez

What you know about the running, the stretching 

The cars, the weapons, the path, the journey 

The jewels, the learning, the fear, the focus 

The aches, the pains 

The contact sparrin', the breaks, the sprains 

The trial and error, the ranks, and belts 

The spiritual growth, the science of breath 

The tests, the techniques, the forms, the stances 

The flow, the rhythm, the internal answers 

The herbs, the healing, the quiet meditation 

The truths reveal through daily dedication 

The love for the art, the sweat on your shirt 

The mind, the body, and the spirit that work 

The feelings of failure, the hope to succeed 

The battles of questions like 

"Should I smoke weed?" 

The water, the thirst, the cleansing, the blessings 

The flash of insights, the teachings, the lessons 

The grappling and locking, trapping and boxing 

The training and slacking, the starting and stopping 

And stayin' committed, when your homies ain't with it 

The hours or practice after the class is finished 

The 'cause of your ignorance, flaws in your discipline 

Broken laws of nutrition, and pork and dishin' 

The vitamins and supplements, salads and ointments 

The kingships, pull joints in doctor appointments 

The dues, the pads, the wraps, the gloves 

The mouthpiece you left home, the taste of your own blood 

The hunger, the blocks, the punches, the squats 

The crunches, the example you set for the youngsters 

The will, the skills, the kill or the hill 

The separation between what's fake and what's real 

The laws of physics, the class "comradely" 

The vows of humility, the bow, the courtesy 

Self defense doesn't mean you run and attack someone 

But you do have the right to defend yourself 

By any means necessary 

If you in that position to defend yourself, ha