[Verse One: John Smith]
Poor folk, we're such a happy tragic
He got the Black Lung just like his pappy had it
No joke, poor folk practice magic
Their own bars, their own mathematics
And how to get something from nothing
Can never be teached or breached through a simple discussion
We just know what it's like
To muck through the snow on a one pedal bike
Hitting doj' just a roll of the dice
Sweating alone just til I get a life
I'd bet it all just for the chance at a bigger slice
Take the fall, fuck up now and later set it right
Poor folk, provoke change, are labelled strange
And end up broke in a different way
Poor folks
That's my people at ease on the streets I ain't afraid of my equal
I trust that
Kinship exists even when I'm getting cussed at on my walk to the bus shack
I just laugh, knowing I'll probably end up sitting right beside his punk ass
At two buck flicks, eating popcorn with extra mustard gas
Now he know me as a homie from his brother's class
And opinions change as they will
Like [?] poor folks steal and drug deal
So ignorant, thought I'd get rich legit
But telling you to keep it clean would make me a hypocrite
They'll never catch me cause I'm fucking innocent
I slip into the background, my knapsacks a cash cow
And snakes and ladders and Jakes the adder
With allies like Charles Adler
It's us and [?] so heed the ruler [?] and make some cool rich friends
I ain't saying seek a wealthier set
But at this point we'll take all the help we can get
Poor folks
Poor folks
[Scratch Hook]
"How the fuck you think you feel when your pockets singing make it last" - The Coup 'Takin These'
[Verse Two: Pip Skid]
Poor folks, the superheroes of our time
Living on five loonies, two quarters and three dimes
Who climbs the ladder of success and who comes up short?
After the sperm donor dad opted out on child support
We import new tactics in a desperate manner
Like loading a second job on your already full platter
Pulling [?] in a cardboard box doesn't apply to us
So don't listen when Gretchen talks
And a boombox with a busted speaker refining beauty
Call in sick to see part two of a made for TV movie
Light a doobie
(Have some beer?) Chill you ain't no loser
Getting by is an art, it's how well you can maneuver
To all my unskilled labor people I'm down with ch'all
It's like an injury to one is an injury to all
Fifteen bucks huh, pushing a shopping cart
Grab the mail, find a bill in the kitchen torn apart
Thinking about Money Mart and their half ass security
Dreaming about an inside job it's all absurdity
Like getting a ride home, ashamed kept 'em steered clear
"Uh, you can just drop me off and I'll walk from here."
Cause money-less can leave you shunned to the abyss
What's that maid thinking while on her knees cleaning your piss?
Word to the moms in Wal-Mart shoving shit in their purse
Born poor into a war hung over you like curse
(Bad credit rating)
(You ain't shit without a man)
Children getting jobs is the future financial plan
No chance for R-R-R-S-E's
And money's needed now I'm charging handlers fees
Please, if you weren't needed for mindless tasks, they'd tie your tubes
It's be Kill At Will and Dead Homies like Ice Cube
("Hey ya little prick why don't ya get an education?!")
At least my neighbors talk to me, no need for explanation
Into complication to your insurance so stay on guard
Screwed for so long we know how to party and party hard
Denied Visa cards, squabbling over the john
I got stocks and bonds in my craft at keeping on
[Bridge]
Take extra precautions (in that neighborhood)
Your car will get stolen (in that neighborhood)
Never walk alone (in that neighborhood)
It's that area, it's dirty, it's no good
[Scratching]
"How the fuck you think you feel when your pockets singing making it last"
[Pip Skid] {x6}
When I say "nervous break" you say "down"
Nervous break (Down!)
Nervous break (Down!)
