Crabs in a Barrel

My Father died when I was ten

But Mother never spent much time with him

'Cause Papa was a rollin' stone

He left eight girls and three boys

Mama said, "Just trust in the Lord

And follow His Golden Rule"

Now I'm a professional

The girls are all doing wonderful

We fought our way from poverty

Bought Mom a house on the hill

So she could have a better place to live

Pay back for the life she's given me

[Bridge]

Some people in the neighborhood

Say that we think we're too good

'Cause we found a better way

They say that we sold out

From the ghetto we got out

Why people - do you treat us this way?

[Chorus]

We're just like -

Crabs in a Barrel - we're the same

Try to get out - they pull you back again

Like crabs in a barrel - hear what I say

It's dog eat dog -

Gotta know how to play the game

There's a child prodigy, gifted from infancy

Greatness was his destiny

He studied hard, played no ball

At seven years played Carnegie Hall,

Broadway and over seas

He read about black history

Find out from which he came to be -

Not long ago his people were set free

Every night he would pray

Thank God for another day

And for bringing us out of misery

[Bridge]

[Chorus X3]

[Bridge]

[Chorus]