[Intro: Jay-Z]
Come on... life... death...
Here... gone... yo

[Chorus: Jay-Z]
If I should die, don't cry, my n***as
Just ride, my n***as, bust bullets in the sky, my n***as
And when I'm gone don't mourn, my n***as
Get on, my n***as
When it's real say word to Shawn, my n***as
If I should die...

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
Don't cry, my n***as, it's been one hell of a ride, my n***as
In the middle of the drought, I flipped pies, my n***as
I did joints with Mary J. Blige, my n***as
I've eluded the coppers, got booted with Big Poppa
Skated through with the Caesar picadas
At high school got head by the lockers
Gassed the baddest girl in the class to show me her knockers
Rocked jewels, dropped school, still didn't fail
Rhymes still written well, hold court in the street
Never sit in the cell for a second then I'm gettin' my bail
Shoot it out with the bounty hunters
Fuck sittin' in the county for summers if they should down me
Everybody around us become one for that day
To live life get your shit right and play
Don't get it twisted like braids, if I'm missed it's okay
But life's short, don't miss a day, uhh
[Chorus: Jay-Z]
If I should die, don't cry, my n***as
Just ride, my n***as, bust bullets in the sky, my n***as
And when I'm gone don't mourn, my n***as
Get on, my n***as
When it's real say word to Shawn, my n***as
If I should die...

[Chorus 2: Wais]
... don't cry, my n***as
It's been one hell of a ride, my n***as
Say word to Wais, my n***as
When I'm gone don't mourn, my n***as
Just keep gettin' it on, my n***as
Say word is bond, my n***as

[Verse 2: Wais]
I got a lot to look back on, in '88 got my crack on
Ten years later gettin' my rap on
Gettin' shorties like a thespian
Had an episode with two lesbians, got a fetish for that
Drunk ginseng with Japanese chicks and pulled the root out
Squeeze my whole clip to survive shootouts
Been on both coasts, fired all kinds of heat
Probably be kinda glad to leave these mean streets
I got de-mands to meet and questions to fulfill
Like is that mystery God real?
And how was Kennedy killed?
I ain't mad, I must've smoked a ton of reefer
Sipped Coronas with Latifah, broke the code of Geneva
I know when I reach the other side I'ma see the
Cat I had beef with who blood remains on my sneaker
Then it's on again, if I could be born again
I live my life through my son
And tell him never have a friend
Just family, reincarnated I'll shorten the time
That I waited to get paid, tell him never be afraid
N***as hearts pump Kool Aid and yo' blood run thicker
Never shed tears, cry liquor, my n***a
[Chorus 2: Wais]
If I die don't cry, my n***as
It's been one hell of a ride, my n***as
Say word to Wais, my n***as
When I'm gone don't mourn, my n***as
Just keep bangin' these songs, my n***as
Say word is bond, my n***as
If I die...

[Chorus 3: Half Dead]
... don't cry my n***as
Just stay gettin' high, my n***as
Don't wonder why, my n***as
When I'm gone live on, my n***as
Just follow my path, my n***as
Say word to Half, my n***a

[Verse 3: Half Dead]
I'm the aftermath of pleasure never die alone
Born to live forever through life's struggles
I cut corners and took drastic measures
Seen n***as life expire right in front of me
Time could never mend what these cold streets
Mentally done to me, too often, I close my eyes
And see my own coffin feelin' haunted
Ready to leave this world that I'm lost in
My only chance to see the seeds I lost through abortion
When I'm gone y'all n***as better not mourn, keep flossin'
As long as my name lives on what's most important
I'll be down in hell scorchin' preparin' for life
Afterlife still torchin' and blazin' these mics
It'd rain for 40 days and 40 nights
And I'd return on the 3rd like Christ
(Without my physical portion)
My spirit a poltergeist for sure
I'll be back through the Heights tomorrow
Blood over y'all fake n***as door
What you thought, huh?
What you thought, n***a?
[Chorus 3: Half Dead]
If I should die don't cry, my n***as
Just stay gettin' high, my n***as
Don't wonder why, my n***as
When I'm gone live on, my n***as
Just follow my path, my n***as
Say word to Half, my n***a
When I die...

[Chorus 2: Wais]
... don't cry, my n***as
It's been one hell of a ride, my n***as
Say word to Wais, my n***as
When I'm gone don't mourn, my n***as
Just keep gettin' it on, my n***as
Say word is bond, my n***as
If I die...

[Chorus: Jay-Z]
... don't cry, my n***as
Just ride, my n***as, bust bullets in the sky, my n***as
And when I'm gone don't mourn, my n***as
Get on, my n***as
When it's real say word to Shawn, my n***as
If I should die...

[Verse 4: Jay-Z]
I'd tell Big they're still hearin' his songs
Run into Pac ask him where we went wrong
Tell him life is miserable when ya dealin' in the physical form
Is everything that's invisible gone?
I need to know, will I still feel pain or will it be ironic?
Will I chill in the flames for all the ills of my brain?
Can I re, veal the game to all the hustlers
Trapped in the race and if so can I leave this place?
Can I puff cigars and drink Cristal?
If this is heaven to me is this considered heavenly?
Can I still touch lives, answer their "whats and whys"
Make sure everybody in my fam' clutch five?
If I should die... don't cry, my n***as