The Streets Lyrics - The Best Of Both Worlds (jay-z & R. Kelly) - Jay-z

Dear God. how can I explain myself? 

[J] Oh God bless me indeed 

When I'm so confused 

[J] Enlarge my territory 

[J] Place your love and protection over me at all times 

Help me! 

[J] Keep me away from evil 

Somebody answer me! [echoes] 

[J] Allow me not to cause pain 

[Jay-Z] 

Police in the background, screamin put the thing down 

That's how hard I was trying to put my thing down 

Si-rens 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 niggaz 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 

[Chorus: R. Kelly] 

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 

[R. Kelly] 

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! 

[Chorus + ad libs] 

[Jay-Z] 

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 shit'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 

[Chorus + (ad libs)] 

[R. Kelly] 

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 mo-mma also screamin 

Streets are just like drugs, 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, ohhh 

No ground to place my feet (my feet) 

I feel the fire under me (heyyy) 

A way out is all I need (all I need) 

Somebody, answer me! 

[Chorus + ad libs] 

Related 

23 One Hit Wonders You Still Can't Get Out Of Your Head 

Watch Cardi B Joins James Corden For Carpool Karaoke 

Ariana Grande Adds Her Own Verse To "Last Christmas" 

Photos