[Intro: R. Kelly & Jay-Z]
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
Uh, help me!
Keep me away from evil
Somebody answer me! {*echoes*}
Allow me not to cause pain

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
Police in the background, screamin' put the thing down
That's how hard I was tryin' 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 n***as 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

[Verse 2: 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: 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

[Verse 3: 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
I drew 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 sqooze
.. and with that I froze
Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron poles
And this story is told, for young soldiers
Who never choose the life we chose
[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

[Verse 4: 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: 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