I was born..
 I was born..
 I was born in a concrete jungle
 and I learned to make my own way (learned to make my own way)
 I was raised by streets and the beats
 and the books and crooks of L.A.
 I was taken by the power of the word
 and I had a whole lot to say (had a whole lot to say)
 And I vowed, always to move the crowd
 and leave em in disarray
 Cause I live by the word AND I die by the sword
 These here are strange days AND we here are strong
 We live by the sword AND we die by the slug
 This here is war AND this here is love
 Soldiers are marching in
 And they're going to battle again
 Somebody's going to win
 and somebody will lose -- and that's the truth!
 Gotta learn to fight for yours
 Livin in this life of yours
 See they can't stifle yours
 if you refuse to abused, fools listen to this news
 I don't beg, steal or borrow
 I don't expect to see tomorrow
 I don't usually soak in sorrow
 cause I keep all eyes on the sparrow
 Cause we live by the word AND we die by the sword
 These here are strange days AND we here are strong
 We live by the sword AND we die by the slug
 This here is war AND this here is love
 Soldiers are marching in
 And they going to battle again
 Somebody's going to win
 and somebody will lose -- and that's the real!
 Gotta learn to fight for yours
 Livin in this life of yours
 See they can't stifle yours
 if you refuse to abused, fools listen to this news
 Uh-huh, fools listen to this news
 Whashup, crews listen to this news
 Oh yeah, you listen to this news
 Listen, listen, listen, to this news