Up early in the mornin`, dressed in black
Don`t aks why `cause I`m down in a suit and tie
They killed a homie that I went to school with
I tell ya life ain`t s**t to fool with

I still hear the screams of his mother
While my ni**a laid dead in the gutter
And it`s gettin` to my temple
Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?

It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed in
And have some bodies hauled in
But no, I pay my respects and I`m through
Hug my crew and maybe she`d a tear or two

Then I wanna get blitz
Grab my 40 ounce and then I reminisce
About a brother who had to be the one and only
So I dedicate this to my dead homiez

Another homie got murdered on a shakedown
And his mother is at the funeral, havin` a nervous breakdown
Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted
A framed picture and a closed casket

A single file line about 50 cars long
All drivin` slow with they lights on
He got a lot of flowers and a big wreath
What good is that when you`re six feet deep?

I look at that s**t and gotta think to myself
And thank God for my health
`Cause nobody really ever know
When it`s gonna be they family on the front row

So I take everythin` slow, go with the flow
And shut my motherf**kin` mouth if I don`t know
`Cause that`s what pops told me
But I wish he could have said it to my dead homiez

I remember we painted our names on the wall for fun
Now it`s rest in peace after every one
Except me, but I ain`t the one to front
Seems like I`m viewin` a body every other month

Plus, I knew him when he was yea big
Pour beer on the curb before I take a swig
But somethin` ain`t right
When it`s a tragedy that`s the only time that the family`s tight

Lovin` each other in a carin` mood
There`s lots of people and lots of food
They say be strong and you`re tryin`
But how strong can you be when you see your pop`s cryin`

So that`s why Ice Cube`s dressed up
Because the city is so f**kin` messed up
And everybody`s so phony
Take a little time to think about your dead homiez