Walkin' five blocks every day to earn my keep It ain't easy when you're walkin' on these streets Runnin' on a tightrope it's a real thin line Thinkin' that you might die this time Some things will never change, a street education So close yet so far, just a block from the station Standin' on the corner, I might get taken out Five blocks to the subway, just five blocks away Five blocks to the subway, I can do that any day There's a local wise guy he owns the whole damn block It's easy doin' business when you're payin' off the cops Makin' money pushin' drugs wouldn't stop if he could Killin' kids in his own damn neighborhood Watch out for muggers and the pickpockets beware You get to play these games when you pay transit fare Trials and tribulations, a journey made each day This is my reality,the hardest game to play Standin' on the platform and I'm waiting for the train Good thing I'm underground, now it's startin' to rain Always stand alone, hold the wall up with my back Or else you might get pushed on to the tracks