As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left

Cause I've been blastin and laughin so long that

Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it

Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of

You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin

Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk

I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc

As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool

I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like

On my knees in the night

Sayin prayers in the street light



*L.V.*

We've been spending most our lives

Living in the Gangsta's Paradise



(repeat)

We keep spending most our lives

Living in the Gangsta's Paraside

(repeat)



Look at the situation, they got me facin

I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strict

So I gotta be down with the hood team

Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams

I'm a educated fool with money on my mind

Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye

I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger

And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool

Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away

I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say?

I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'?

The way things is goin I dunno



*L.V.*

Tell me why are we -- so blind to see

That the ones we hurt -- are you and me



We've been spending most our lives

Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

(repeat)

We keep spending most our lives

Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

(repeat)



Power and the money, money and the power

Minute after minute, hour after hour

Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin

It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin

They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me

If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?

I guess they cain't -- I guess they won't

I guess they front; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool



*L.V.*

We've been spending most our lives

Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

(repeat)

We keep spending most our lives

Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

(repeat)

Tell me why are we -- so blind to see

That the ones we hurt -- are you and me

(repeat)