[Intro: sample]

"I had a bad dream"

"Don't be afraid, bad dreams are only dreams"

"What a time you chose to be born"

[Chorus: Life]

Babies cryin', brothers dyin' and brothers gettin' knocked

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked

Down in this cold, cold world

[Verse 1: GZA]

It was the night before New Year's, and all through the fuckin' projects

Not a handgun was silent, not even a TEC

Outsiders were stuck by enemies who put fear

And blasted on the spot before the pigs were there

You know hoods rob and snipe what’s new in sight, fuck blue and white!

They escape before them flash the fuckin' lights

Gunshots shatter first-floor window panes

Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game

Whether pro-calisthenic, any style you set it

Beat niggas toothless, physically cut up like gooses

But with iron on the sides, thugs took no excuses

Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless

Linx was snatched off necks, there's scars on throats

Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats

Against those who felt the cold from the steel, made 'em fold and squeal

Once the metal hit the temple of his grill

Construction worker who was caught for his bomber

No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his farmers

And it's bugged how some niggas catch slugs

And pockets dug from everythin' except check stubs

And it does sound ill like wars in Brownsville

Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where Feds look

For fugitives to shoot cops, niggas layin' on roof tops

For his cream he stashed in a shoebox

But he was hot and the strip was filled with young killers

You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars

And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets

Those who try to flee, they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate

Similar to hitmen who pull out TECs and then

Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican

Rapid, like recipients cashin' checks again

Back to the motherfuckin' spot on Lexington

[Chorus: Life]

Babies cryin', brothers dyin' and brothers gettin' knocked

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold, cold world (Cold world)

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold (Cold), cold world (Cold world)

[Verse 2: Inspectah Deck]

Yo, no time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prix's

And seize packages and pocket the currency

Cliques control strips, full clips are sprayed

Yellow tape barricades sidewalks where bodies lay

Madness strikes at twelve o'clock midnight

Stick-up kids on the prowl broke the staircase light

And I stays harassed, scramblin' for petty cash

Jakes on my ass, young bucks is learnin' fast

.357's and .44s

Bought inside corner stores, provide sparks for wars

Hospital floors surrounded by the law

Homicide questionin' while the Jakes guard the door

My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team

'Cause niggas' main concern is cream

Some niggas in a jet-black Galant

Shot up the Chinese restaurant for this kid named Lamont

I thought he was dead, but instead he missed the kid

And hit a twelve-year-old girl in the head and then fled

Tactical narcotic task force, back off fast

'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash

Extortions for portions of streets causes beef

Havin' followers of Indians tryin' to play Chief

You witness the saga, casualties and drama

Life is a script—I'm not an actor, but the author

Of a modern-day opera, where the main character

Is presidential papers, the dominant factor

[Bridge: Life]

You know, you had me

With your sensuous charm

But you looked so alarmed

As I walked on by

[Chorus: Life]

Babies cryin', brothers dyin' and brothers gettin' knocked

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold, cold world

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold, cold world

Babies cryin', brothers dyin' and brothers gettin' knocked

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold, cold world

[Outro: Life]

Babies cryin', brothers dyin' and brothers gettin' knocked

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold, cold world

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down

In this cold, cold world