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]