The Fugees
"Family Business"


[OMEGA] 
Where I was born, nothing is promised 
My life is filled with less hope than the 
prophecies of Nostradamus Omega marks the ending 
of predictability, birth of agility Who will it 
be to test me and expose their futility. Iron 
like a lion from Zion stop tryin' so hard, I 
think I smell your brain cells fryin'. The 
family's behind you if you're worthy Philosophies 
developed deep in the back streets of dirty 
Jersey Troops with scully hats and Timberland 
boots No more break-dancing for loot. 
Niggas hustle and shoot 
In the Garden State, it grows stink weeds and 
criminals Government funds are minimal 
Oppression's subliminal 

[CLEF] 
These days its hard for we to find peace of mind 
Between insanity and sanity there lies a thin 
line. 
Some dwell in hotels with Jezebels 
A stone age and fall a victim to the Plague 
Unclean bad dreams of Wyclef being a fiend, 
One last kiss from my sweet serpentine 
Eliminate then break, 
Navigate to rejuvenate thoughts of suicide with 
my nickel plate. Reconcilation came from my 
enemy-friend 
Who said family don't bend 
We stay silent till the end. 
Now who would think that your best friend 
Would be your worst enemy and your enemy your 
best friend. Stare into the air inspiration from 
the atmosphere I think of old ghosts, that ain't 
even here. Like Alex Haley take notes on this 
Biography 
My family tree consists of street refugees. 
A ghetto land, where we talk slang 
Stolen cars bang, like my chitty bang-bang 
sh-bang 
For the heads, we ain't sellin' cocaine today 
So refrain and let my family reign okay 
[OMEGA]:CHORUS 
Just walkin' the streets death can take you away 
It's never guaranteed that you'll see the next 
day 
At night the evil armies of Shaton don't play 
So defend the family that's the code to obey 

[CLEF] 
But if I fall asleep and death takes me away 
Don't be surprised son, I wasn't put here to stay 
At night the evil armies of Shaton don't play 
So the family sticks together and we never betray 
[CLEF] 
Nah fuck that 
Fifty-two pick up, no cops around 
Fifty-two thousand in cash, I don't want no 
savings bonds Have the money ready, I smell 
something fishy 
Your wife's in my custody 
One false move and you'll find her body in the 
sea. 
That's the voice of the kid, that's the kidnapper 
I do my work and then I catch my ticket to 
Jamaica. 
Meet me in the alley, make sure you bring the 
money 
This ain't the seventies I'm far from a jive 
turkey 

[LAURYN] 
My circle it can't be broken 
Open, cut-throatin', provokin' 
Record promotin, tokens chokin' on they words 
like smoke and. Cause we soft spoken, doesn't 
mean that we've forgotten Your bootie smells 
rotten and one day you will be gotten See joker's 
is scatter-brained, their focus is unrestrained 
My army is trained, you never find us beefin' in 
vain. Cause I've seen fire and I've seen rain You 
claim fame, while modest niggas remain. I can 
judge a character like Ito judge a verdict And if 
you bringin' threats I give you sex if I ain't 
heard it. 
See poppin' shit's about your attitude and how 
you word it I've seen the biggest niggas on the 
block get murdered And they deserverd it 
Or so the beast said when they served it ??? 
That shit is nervous 
So what's my purpose? 
Family, we must preserve it. 
Your number's retired 
I hope you like the hell fires 
You'll be screamin' Murder she Wrote like Chaka 
Demus and Pliars. 

[OMEGA]:CHORUS 
Just walkin' the streets death can take you away 
It's never guaranteed that you'll see the next 
day 
At night the evil armies of Shaton don't play 
So defend the family that's the code to obey 

[LAURYN] 
If I should fall asleep and death takes me away 
Don't be surprised son, I wasn't put here to stay 
At night the evil armies of Shaton don't play 
So the family stick together and we never betray. 
[FORTE] 
We used to jump rope, 
But now we gun hope 
Bustin' shots off of project roof tops 
Sending signals with the blunt smoke. 
Ock, don't talk a lot if you can't hold it in 
lock 
If you think lips sink ships, 
Imagine full glock clips. 
I hold a glass of Remy Martin 
Gettin' milks by the carton 
Extortin' the light weights for thinkin' they 
important The night pays and heavenly ways 
Ain't nothin' free ah 
Knowledge of your family and steppin' to your 
B.I. 
You see I, stay on top of s*** like a fly 
My niggas reach when they got beef 
Then jet down to South Beach 
Yo mouthpiece is yappin' 
I hear it in your rap and 
My family is thick so that bulls** could never 
happen. 

[CLEF]:CHORUS 
Just walkin' the streets death can take you away 
It's never guaranteed that you'll see the next 
day 
At night the evil armies of Shaton don't play 
So defend the family that's the code to obey 

[LAURYN] 
If I should fall asleep and death takes me away 
Don't be surprised son, I wasn't put here to stay At night the evil armies of Satan don't play