They just gave up on our entire generation
So we were all pushed to the side
'cause we didn't see the world through our teacher's eyes
When all we needed was a little bit of motivation
But because we wore our pants saggin'
y'all labelled us gangsters
And said we wasn't worth the time
There are so many things I never asked you
There are so many things I still don't know
There are so many things you never told me
And still so many things that I will never know
And why
'cause I went to City High
A school with more drop outs than sign-ups at registration
And the pregnancy rate is at an all-time high
We all know why
Now you would think the classroom's the place for mental stimulation
But there's some brothers outside
Sellin' that stuff
That'll really stimulate your mind
(Talk about gettin' high)
There are so many things you never showed me
There are too many things you let slip by
(You let slip right on by)
How can I face a world that doesn't know me
A world that doesn't care whether I live or die
And why
'cause I went to City High
So
We don't need your education
We don't want no pacifier
We are the leaders of your nation
We're gonna make sure the world survives
There ain't no justice there's just us
What happened to the meaning of "In God we trust"
So as we get older and our children grow up
We ain't gonna teach them what y'all showed us
There's too many babies dyin' before they're born
(Lord ain't that the truth)
Too many young ladies cryin' with a daddy in the house
But not a father in the home
(Now y'all know there's a difference)
And what about all our young soldiers being led astray
(By this negative music)
What happened to the Isaac Hayes
And the Curtis Mayfield's and all the Marvin Gayes?
Man we really need 'em today
And there were so many things that needed explaining
But you said it was too late for me to learn
You were suppose to be my shelter when it was rainin'
But instead you left me out here all alone
So I gotta make it on my own
We don't need your education
We don't want no pacifier
We are the leaders of your nation
We're gonna make sure the world survives
There ain't no justice there's just us
What happened to the meaning of "In God we trust"
So as we get older and our children grow up
We ain't gonna teach them what y'all showed us
SPOKEN
For people who did believe
What we could do to change our future
You knew the world was in our hands
Help build them strong so they can withstand
All the pressures
All the war
All the prejudice
And the others who were sure we couldn't fight the stress in life
For those of you who didn't believe us
Listen to my words for you
Listen to your children sing to you
We don't need your education
We don't want no pacifier
We are the leaders of your nation
We're gonna make sure the world survives
There ain't no justice there's just us
What happened to the meaning of "In God we trust"
So as we get older and our children grow up
We ain't gonna teach them what y'all showed us
[Repeat x1]