Friend Like Me

Verse 1

We used to split warm forties on a milk crate seat,

now I'm staring at the melted wax on the curb at Ridgeway and Ninth where we used to meet.

Remember December? Oven door open for the heat in the kitchen,

roaches on the counter, mama working double shifts and

still couldn't clear the back rent, stomach touching our spine,

while the landlord parked his Cadillac right on the yellow line.

When your folks got put out, who was lifting the couch?

Who took the charge for the rusty piece they found in your house?

Now a little street money got you acting brand new.

Strangers in the circle. Strangers never bled for you.

You want me to clap for how solid you stand?

I put my mama's lease papers in the bail bondsman's hand.

Everybody's blood 'til the blood hits the floor,

they'll show up for the picture, but not one of 'em shows up for the war.

And the public defender looks at his watch and tells you take the deal.

That's when you find out who is paper and who is real.

Hook 1

When the sirens start screaming and the cowards flee

(You never had a friend like me)

Staring at that county wall, who gon' set you free?

(Believe me, you never had a friend like me)

When the judge drops the hammer and your mama cries

Who the only one left looking in your eyes?

I'll take the solitary cell, let 'em throw the key

You never had a friend like me.

Verse 2

Two in the morning, tires screaming down the alley,

porch lights flicking on all down the block,

and there you are at my back door, hoodie dark and heavy,

hands shaking so bad you drop the keys in the snow.

Did I ask what happened? Did I lock my door?

Hell nah. Grabbed the .44 off the dresser, left my girl in the sheets,

ran your hands under the kitchen faucet 'til the water ran clear.

While your day-ones had their phones turned off and turned down low,

I was out behind the tracks burying the iron in the snow

so the dogs couldn't smell it.

See, loyalty ain't a tattoo, man, it cuts like a blade:

sitting in the Buick in the dark, parking brake on, engine off,

watching the mirror, watching the corner,

waiting at the curb 'til you're safe inside.

Ask me tomorrow if you're worth it, I might say no.

Tonight I'm still at the curb, and I couldn't tell you why.

Lord knows I'm terrified.

But I'd rather face the devil than watch my brother bleed.

Hook 2

When the sirens start screaming and the cowards flee

(You never had a friend like me)

Staring at that county wall, who gon' set you free?

(Believe me, you never had a friend like me)

When the gunsmoke settles and the blue lights flood the street

Who still waiting at the curb in the driver's seat?

I'll take the solitary cell, let 'em throw the key

You never had a friend like me.

Verse 3

Four blunts roached in the ashtray. Every car that rolls slow,

I'm reaching for the nine.

Mama in the hallway, heard the teapot whistle,

asking why her only son gotta sleep with a pistol.

I don't look her in the eye.

Then the D.A. plays his hand: put two brothers in a box,

flash a thirty-year sentence while the ticking clock

makes a coward out of family.

Saw my partner on the witness stand, reading off a yellow sheet,

couldn't lift his chin up high enough to look at me.

Sold my life to the state just to shave off a term,

I'm staring at his patent leather shoes while he squirmed.

Now I'm waking up in cold sweats, clutching at my chest,

sleeping with my boots on, never getting rest.

If they catch me at the light, tell the preachers stay home.

Pour something out on the curb where the candle wax shone,

where we split them forties. That's the only church I know.

They can zip the bag shut. I never folded my hand.

Final Hook

When the hollow-points are flying and the cowards flee

(You never had a friend like me)

Twenty-three hours in the hole, who gon' set you free?

(Believe me, you never had a friend like me)

When the state offers freedom just to sign on the line

I slide the pen back across and go and do the time

Hold my wrists out for the cuffs, let 'em turn the key

You never had a friend like me.