(prod. By Timbaland) TELL THE CHILDREN to watch out TELL THE CHILDREN to watch out Don't shoot! TELL THE CHILDREN to watch out Keep running, running, running, running They're gaining on us Oh they're gaining on us Keep running, running, running I'm here putting my life on the line for my people. I'm putting my life on the line for my country. I believe in equality for everybody. And why do cops tell us we can't be like, like you said, we have the right to defend ourselves. Marshall Law. They have complete domain over us. They are like Gods. If they tell you you cannot do something, you cannot do it and if you do, they will treat you like a dog. You will be shot down. Well at least for a black man. I'm not sure for everybody but I do understand that. I hope it's not like that for everyone. Tell the children to watch out Keep running, running, running, running They're gaining on us, oh they're gaining on us Keep running, running, running, running Plot twists, just nana, me and the kids We in the crib, it's a quarter past ten "Where your brother at?" Run up in his room, pulled the cover back Where we from n***as leave the porch and they dont make it back Police light, nana starts pacing "f** the pigs want? What brings you here on the occasion?" Pow, pow, pow, pow, pow Boys been gunned down, the boys is having fun now With our blood and our sons, disturbing the peace He's more afraid of him when he's the one with the piece Aaah, nana drop, she hollering "Why God?!" Police be telling us it's nothing but their job They profile us Then they wonder why he grow up being prejudice and so violent It trickles down from the rich to the poor They'll f** with you 'cause they can't believe that it's yours Registration, I'll give these f**ing streets motivation They wanna take us out so they start making allegations I'm fed up Police coming so we sped up My nana told me "f** twelve, keep yo' head up." Tell the children to watch out Keep running, running, running, running They're gaining on us, oh they're gaining on us Keep running, running, running, running King died for us n***as living in poverty 50 years later we still don't have equality It bothers me A badge is a pa** to do whatever So now we living in fear of the people here to protect us Yo, they lie and disrespect us, k** us and then neglect us The problem when nobody sees the view from our perspective My people shed blood from the acres you had stole Now my people shedding blood on the gravel left in the cold How these news anchors talking 'bout the struggle These n***as had it good Never had a pat down up in their hood Never had to take a charge Never had to stop the car Never had to hit the stands so you would never understand Be one hunnid, I'll meet you at the too just like a summit My flows are abundant Im'a make you sound redundant I really am messiah Bless the whip but forgent tires When in riding out I hope them crooked n***as see me flying [Hook]