A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die

Scarface

About A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die

"A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die" was the second single released from Scarface's debut album, Mr. Scarface Is Back. Released on February 28, 1992, and produced by Crazy C and Scarface, "A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die" made it to two Billboard charts, peaking at 69 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks" and 13 on the Hot Rap Singles. The song features a sample of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues". A music video for the song was also released shortly after, which mirrors Scarface's storytelling descriptions mostly scene after scene.  


Year:
1991
4:44
173 
#4

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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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Scarface

Brad Terrence Jordan (born November 9, 1970), better known by his stage name Scarface, is an African-American rapper from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston. In 2012, The Source ranked him #16 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time, while About.com ranked him #10 on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987-2007). more »

1 fan

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.
Album Details
The song is from his debut solo album titled "Mr. Scarface is Back," released on October 8, 1991.
Lyrics Theme
The 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.
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.
Record Label
The 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.
Music Sample
The 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.
Notable Lyrics
The 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.
Cultural Impact
The 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.
Controversies
As 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.
Legacy
Even 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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