Spare the Rod

They called us at risk youths

Disadvantaged 

Said we had attention deficit disorders 

Destined to live the life of the lawless 

Like wizards of oz reading our fortunes 

Unfortunately most they fortunes is warnings
 
Crystal ball visions of you in a coffin

Mama tryna keep us safe  

Always tried to keep the peace 

But she ain’t spare no rod quick to give her children beaten Like she tryna calm the savage beast 

Slave whippings yeah slave whippings

Welts lookin like Kunta kente

This gonna hurt me more than it hurts you

No disrespect but I beg to differ

Fast forward, got my own child  mmm I don't think I ever hit her

But I don't live her

But I build wit her

But still nigga shit real nigga

That everyday 24/7 parenthood shit hit different nigga

In a land where police is even killing children

Like damn yeah yeah they killing children

Chorus:

Whitney said the children are the future 

Now its future we all grown up

Some aint make it, some had babies

Got me thinking back when we were young

The children are the future 

Now its future we all grown up

Some ain't make it, some had babies

Got me thinking back when we were young (young)

I was always told don’t start none won’t be none 

Somebody hit you hit’em back

Mommy taught me that, Pop taught me how to scrap kinda

You know them boxing lesson Hit my hands both palms up 

He Crouched over moving his hands like a moving target

Tryna be a father, tryna be a dad 

Couple of lessons teachin' his adolescent how to be a man
 
Jab jab right hook 

Jab jab haymaker 

Keep ya guard up 

Front ya face Dont leave ya head open 

Meanwhile the murder rate was goin' up 

I’m talkin' bout North Philly 90’s nigga shit was wild as fuck 

First time I got stuck 

They got me for my little chain 

Came home huffin puffin, left back out holdin' that thing 

Chorus:

Whitney said the children are the future 

Now its future we all grown up

Some aint make it, some had babies

Got me thinking back when we were young

The children are the future 

Now its future we all grown up

Some ain't make it, some had babies

Got me thinking back when we were young (young)

Hey Young World (the world is yours)

Hey Young World (the world is yours)

Young World, Young World...