Up early in the morning  dressed in black 
Don't ask why? 'Cause I'm down in a suit and tie 
They killed a homie that I went to school with(Damn!) 
I tell ya life ain't shit to fool with 
I still hear the screams of his mother 
While my nigga laid dead in the gutter(Shit!) 
And it's getting 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(what up Cube?) 
Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two 
And I want to 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 homies

Another homie got murdered on a shakedown{three gun shots} 
And his mother is at the funeral, havin' a nervous breakdown 
Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted{two gun shots} 
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 shit 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 everything slow, go with the flow 
And shut my motherfuckin' mouth if I don't know(Word!) 
'Cause that's what Pops told me 
But I wish he could have said it, to my dead homies

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 after every 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 caring 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 Pops cryin'? 
So that's why Ice Cube's dressed up 
Because the city is so fuckin' messed up 
And everybody is so phony 
Take a little time, to think about your dead homies