[Chorus]

Once upon a time in that Ghetto yo

I used to make the chetta

When I was lounging with the playa and the hustlers yo

And rydin on 'em haters

Just pimpin with them playas from the 415

Hustling everyday just to stay alive

Huh, once upon a time in the ghetto yo-o

I used to make that cheddar



[Verse 1]

Used to be a slave to sin

Smoking indo smoke like the homie Mista Grimm

Now who a thought that years ago I'd be the one reachin him

Prayin in the late night hour crying

Askin' that lord to come on in

Of a broken heart filled with all this hurt and pain

Askin that lord to clear that overcast and all the rain

Cuz there ain't no sunshine in the ghetto

Unless ya got Christ in ya life not the devil

That's what I had though

Demons in my system dogg

Now I'm intoxicated wit the Holy Spirit yall

No more chronic, bionic and gin and tonic

Chocolate tye, or sticky icky, icky

Cuz the Holy Goly gets me high



[Verse 2]

See I was, thugged out

West Cali livin

Straight sinnin in boss hog Cali Pimpin

Straight sippin Gin & Juice, Tangarae and Rum

Steady spittin pimp game from this play tongue

Brim tilted to the left

Leaning in my ride

"Wit that" rims glistering

While I'm whistling

Picture me and chicks kissin in the back of a 64

Devil had me trippin like a wineo' in a liquor store

Thank God bro Jesus broke the Devils chains

Now I'm addicted, shooting this gospel all up in my veins

Can't get enough of the way that he makes me feel

I wanna holla, holla

Ready to die in ya honor

I'm a changed man from the feet up

But stay G'd up

From the street up

So I can reach rydas smoking the weed up



[Bridge]

I just don't know why

These rydas wanna ryde

When they know that

They very well could die

From the bullets of a gage or nine

When ya living in the fast lane commitin 'em crimes

I said I... just don't know why

These plays wanna play

When they know that the world is filled wit AIDS and disease

Baby mamma wit dads who be flossing while they

Kids are broke & dressin in rags