[Intro - Dry rap] No lesson plan. Still got tested. [Verse 1 - Percussive rap] Learnt one lie could cost a whole week, Learnt a loud mouth wasn't proof you were deep. Learnt keeping face didn't keep me fed, Learnt bad company still beats an empty head. At least I thought so. That's the catch. Kid makes a rule from wherever he's at. Didn't get context, didn't get space, Got a problem put straight in front of my face. Had to decide with a brain still growing, Everybody certain, nobody knowing. Called it experience, wore it like armour, Couldn't see yet how it made the next part harder. [Build - Snare roll] Test after test. No time to revise. Count that kick— Then let the kid reply. [Chorus - Gang shout] HARD WAY HOMEWORK! NO EASY MARKS! LEARNT IT ON MY FEET WHEN THE WORLD GOT DARK! PASS OR FAIL! STILL SHOW UP! I WAS TOO DAMN YOUNG TO BE GROWING UP! [Verse 2 - Double-time] Some things useful, some lessons crooked, Had to grow older before I could look at 'em. "Don't trust anyone" kept me alone, "Never show hurt" made a cage of my throat. "Hit first" wasn't wisdom, just fear, "Need nothing" couldn't get me anywhere. I won't call every street rule truth, Some were a frightened child's best move. Now when I write, I can sort what stays, What helped me survive, what gets in my way. Those nights taught plenty, but they weren't a school, No child should pay that price for the tools. [Bridge - Halftime] I learnt to keep moving. Still needed direction. Being streetwise Didn't mean I was protected. [Final Chorus - Full drop] HARD WAY HOMEWORK! NO EASY MARKS! LEARNT IT ON MY FEET WHEN THE WORLD GOT DARK! PASS OR FAIL! STILL SHOW UP! I WAS TOO DAMN YOUNG TO BE GROWING UP!
