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)