Dead Prez › Lyrics › Way of Life

What you know about the running, the stretching
The cars, the weapons, the path, the journey
The jewels, the learning, the fear, the focus
The aches, the pains, the contact sparrin'

The breaks, the sprains, the trial and error
The ranks, and belts, the spiritual growth, the science of breath
The tests, the techniques, the forms, the stances
The flow, the rhythm, the internal answers

The herbs, the healing, the quiet meditation
The truths reveal through daily dedication
The love for the art, the sweat on your shirt
The mind, the body, and the spirit that work

The feelings of failure, the hope to succeed
The battles of questions like "Should I smoke weed?"
The water, the thirst, the cleansing, the blessings
The flash of insights, the teachings, the lessons

The grappling and locking, trapping and boxing
The training and slacking, the starting and stopping
And stayin' committed, when your homies ain't with it
The hours or practice after the class is finished

The 'cause of your ignorance, flaws in your discipline
Broken laws of nutrition, and pork and dishin'
The vitamins and supplements, salads and ointments
The kingships, pull joints in doctor appointments

The dues, the pads, the wraps, the gloves
The mouthpiece you left home, the taste of your own blood
The hunger, the blocks, the punches, the squats
The crunches, the example you set for the youngsters

The will, the skills, the kill or the hill
The separation between what's fake and what's real
The laws of physics, the class comradely
The vows of humility, the bow, the courtesy

{Self defense doesn't mean you run
And attack someone but you do have the right
To defend yourself by any means necessary
If you in that position to defend yourself}