Verse One:. Up early in the morning dressed in black. Don't ask why? 'Cause I'm down in a suit and tie. They killed a homie that I went to school with(Damn!). I tell ya life ain't shit to fool with. I still hear the screams of his mother. While my nigga laid dead in the gutter(Shit!). And it's getting to my temple. Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?. It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed-in. And have some bodies hauled in. But no I pay my respects and I'm through(whaddup Cube?). Hug my crew and maybe shed a tear or two. And I wanna get blitz. Grab my 40 ounce and then I reminisce. About a brother who had to be the one and only. So I dedicate this to my dead homiez.... Verse Two:. Another homie got murdered on a shakedown{three gun shots}. And his mother is at the funeral havin' a nervous breakdown. Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted{two gun shots}. A framed picture and a closed casket. A single file line about 50 cars long. All drivin' slow with they lights on. He got a lot of flowers and a big wreath. What good is that when you're six feet deep?. I look at that shit and gotta think to myself. And thank God for my health. 'Cause nobody really ever know. When it's gonna be they family on the front row. So I take everything slow go with the flow. And shut my motherfuckin' mouth if I don't know(Word!). 'Cause that's what Pops told me. But I wish he could have said it...to my dead homiez. Verse Three:. I remember we painted our names on the wall for fun. Now it's "Rest in Peace" after every one. Except me but I ain't the one to front. Seems like I'm viewin' a body after every month. Plus I knew him when he was yea big. Pour beer on the curb before I take a swig. But somethin' ain't right. When it's a tragedy that's the only time that the family's tight. Lovin' each other in a caring mood. There's lots of people and lots of food. They say "Be Strong" and you're tryin'. But how strong can you be when you see your Pops cryin'?. So that's why Ice Cube's dressed up. Because the city is so fuckin' messed up. And everybody is so phony