Introducing the hard life
As if you all ain't know about it (in the hard life)
Just another one of them ghetto things (in the hard life)
The hard life
Living and the dying, think about it

[Chorus]
When I think about the days gone by
All the times
You wish that you could fly away
Into the clear blue skies
Just to lead a hard life
And when I think about the times we've had
I remember good as well as the bad
I can hear sounds of laughter
But they're laced with cries
When you lead a hard life

In the hard life

Dear mister president
I was watching the news the other day
You talked about a whole lot of issues
But something about the neighborhood you never did
So I took it for myself to change the channel
Figured out I was better of watching videos
Maybe try to get a little food for my soul
Late at night when they play the old tunes, you know

[Bridge]
I can't get no satisfaction another life lost off quick reaction
Only time I think about calm and relaxing is when I write a new song, when I think about it

[Chorus]
When I think about the days gone by
All the times
You wish that you could fly away
Into the clear blue skies
Just to lead a hard life
And when I think about the times we've had
I remember good as well as the bad
I can hear sounds of laughter
But they're laced with cries
When you lead a hard life

In the hard life

Just a little something for my neighborhood
Holla if you hear me, put you hands up
Tough time in summertime feeling good
Reminisce about my partners that done past away
Just like little Ronnie, me and him and Melinda
Just wanna be somebody
But to go now
Asked me how I feel about it
Well I thank the lord who blessed him
So I sang about it

[Bridge]
I can't get no satisfaction another life lost off quick reaction
Only time I think about calm and relaxing is when I write a new song, when I think about it

[Chorus]
When I think about the days gone by
All the times
You wish that you could fly away
Into the clear blue skies
Just to lead a hard life
And when I think about the times we've had
I remember good as well as the bad
I can hear sounds of laughter
But they're laced with cries
When you lead a hard life
When you lead a hard life

[Rap by E-40]

[Chorus]
When I think about the days gone by
All the times
You wish that you could fly away
Into the clear blue skies
Just to lead a hard life (just to lead a hard life)
And when I think about the times we've had
I remember good as well as the bad
I can hear sounds of laughter (sounds of laughter)
But they're laced with cries
When you lead a hard life

[Chorus to fade]