Street Wise
in a project full of roaches, spiders, and ratshe grows to be wise like an old alley cat
momma scrubs floors while the white lady dines
poppa drinks up the food stamps complaining of times
teachers all tell him he doesn't have a chance
with a faded red sweater and holes in his pants
while the junkie in the alley is offering a fix
the con in the doorway will teach him some tricks
to live in the 'hood, he has to be mean
and snatch a quick purse when the going gets lean
give a quarter to a wino, buy some crackers and cheese
watch the pimp on the corner knock the ho to her knees
he curses the cold wind and runs from the heat
it's a game of survival for a kid on the street
he learns to throw dice and he learns to shoot pool
he learns to make money by playing a fool
and he looks in the places where the faces all dwell
in the cars, in the bars, in the quiet of a cell
he fights with the brothers and tries to act tough
with a blade in his pocket to back up his bluff'
sells a handful of rock, scores a pound of good grass
winds up in a hotel with a cheap piece of ass
he hears a gun fire and he hears a man scream
he slides into the alley without being seen
a battle's going on, so he pulls out his knife
he learns to cut people without thinking twice
as he sees his friend dying, his racing heart cries
he knows he's street wise and just along for the ride
Houston, Texas '80