A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die
Scarface
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Life goes on in the streets of my hood when you die But some cry, and gets by, while others choose to wonder why.. His life was took at such an early age A young nigga who lived in a rage died by the gauge He used to hustle on the street corners His mom would always beg him to quit, but he didn't wanna As he got older, he got even worse Till a real nigga showed him the purpose of a hearse A cold night in his hood, he had a tangle The brother he was squabbling with, had broke his ankle Laid him out in the driveway Some people knew he wouldn't survive, but hey I ain't the one to speak up on another's All I can do is try to open his eyes and help the brother He chose the wrong way and that's the route he took Born and brought up as an angel but he died as a crook He had a baby that he couldn't raise And she will never see her father again, cause he's in a grave I always think about it killer "My daddy was a dope man, so I'ma be a dope dealer" How will the family explain it? "My daughter had a baby for a 'caine head!" He ain't around to see her walk Dry her eyes when she cries, pick her up when she falls Just the thought of a kid living foul fucks me up When his girl has to raise a BASTARD child It gets deeper, he used to punch her and beat her She was loyal to his ass but accused as a cheater She had a good deck but she picked the wrong card Had a kid, now she's realizing life is hard A big time dope dealer's all she wanted Who drove a Jag or a Benz so she could flaunt it The situation's got me guessing But the answer remains to be a question He lived his life in a lie I guess you only get a minute to pray, and a second to die It was crazy how it happened Some niggas rolled by in the Riviera capping All I could see was a pistol spitting rounds And the boy was just screaming as he fell to the ground A woman yelled, get an ambulance But I knew he was dead, he didn't stand a chance You should've seen him, he was scared A bullet goes to his chest, and one to his head He just laid there in silence And all I heard was the sirens Paramedics pulled up Followed by a law man and then came a firetruck Put his ass on the stretcher But if he survives, I'm willing to betcha He'll be out for revenge They patched him up within a week he was back at it again Went to his brother on the Northside Grab your shit, it's a hit, we're gonna take a long ride Packed it up in the trunk AK-47, M-11 and a pump Rolled by ? on Scott Street School was letting out, "Yo you ain't gonna shoot yet?" "watch me!" Opened his trunk and grabbed a shotgun He shot him Put his tooly on the front seat Continued his mission, as he headed down the street The kids was just staring at each other J.D. rolled by and smoked black's brother Reached in his coat and grabbed a 'port Full speed down Reed, shot his mom on the porch On his way down Cullard His brother was just dazed in a shock, "Why you do it?" "Why you shot his moms Jay? Shit" "haha man f*ck that bitch" Went to the store to use the payphone Called up Mack, "Hey yo J.D. homey" Hung it up and rolled down Dagger Heading for the nigga he was after By the time he arrived at the scene Malcolm was ready for anything He tried to sneak around the back way Never thought of being taken out on that day Black boy, black coat Stood around the corner as he passed slit his throat He didn't fall so he fired One to the middle of his skull, he's expired A whole army came out Twenty-seven niggas all strapped out of one house That how it happens in the acre One nigga died in the park in the paper Shit gets deeper but why? I guess you only get a minute to pray, And a second to die
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Written by: BRAD JORDAN, JAMES NYX, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist Background"A Minute To Pray and a Second To Die" is by Scarface, an acclaimed American rapper famed as a member of the Geto Boys, a Hip-Hop group from Houston, Texas.
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Album DetailsThe song is from his debut solo album titled "Mr. Scarface is Back," released on October 8, 1991.
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Lyrics ThemeThe song tells a tale of life and death in inner-city neighborhoods, highlighting the risks and dangers faced by those living there. The lyrics portray a story of survival, struggle, violence, and crime.
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Album's Impact"Mr. Scarface is Back" was a major success. It reached the peak position of 113 on the Billboard 200 and 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, cementing Scarface's position in the industry.
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Record LabelThe album including the song "A Minute To Pray and a Second To Die" was released under Rap-A-Lot Records, an independent hip-hop label that played a crucial role in the early development of Southern hip-hop.
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Music SampleThe song samples "Hang Up Your Hang Ups" by jazz composer Herbie Hancock. This was a common trend in hip-hop during the 1990s, utilizing samples from different songs to create new soundscapes.
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Notable LyricsThe prominent line in the song, "You've got a minute to pray and a second to die," encapsulates the message of the song and reflects the harsh reality of living in crime-ridden areas.
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Cultural ImpactThe song has been credited as one of the earliest examples of "gangsta rap", a sub-genre of hip hop that gained prominence in the 1990s and has had a significant influence on the genre overall.
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ControversiesAs with much of gangsta rap, the song and album faced criticism for their violent themes and explicit language. However, many defended Scarface's work as a raw and authentic portrayal of life in disadvantaged urban areas.
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LegacyEven after decades, "A Minute To Pray and a Second To Die" remains one of Scarface's most enduring and respected songs.
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Citation
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