Story Behind The Song

One of my relatives was tied up in gangs. He did time in prison and eventually wound up dead. He wanted out of the gangster life, and got out the hard way.

Song Description

The subject has dropped out of school and is living on the street. They are involved in crime, drugs, and sex on the street. They are hanging out with gang members and they are thinking about the glamor of that lifestyle. They don't realize that they will end up dead or in jail eventually. They just need to go back home.

Lyrics

You Gotta Go Home

Verse:
You didn't have to drop, out of high school
Nobody made you a wayward fool
You made decisions that changed your life
Livin' ain't supposed to be full of strife

You got to let go and get in the groove
Everybody's wants you to make your move
Your peeps won't drag you off of the street
They ain't going to go down on your beat

You think you're cool and so street wise
The color of money has tinted your eyes
Felt so big hanging out in the hood
Now your friends are up to no good

Got to break down, get yourself away
You might not get a chance to live another day
Get off your sorry ass and drop that dime
Might just find yourself doin' time

Chorus:
Do it for your mother
Do it for your father
Do it for your sister
Do it for your brother

Fool you got to go home
you got to go home
you got to go home
you got to go home

You know its true
Your family is best for you

Verse:
Livin' on the needle, poppin' the pills
Hangin' with ho's, gettin' your thrills
Spreadin' your seed all over the town
What you put down might come back around

Makin' your livin' sellin' those drugs
Wearin' your ink bein' part of them thugs
Jackin' people's cars flashin' your knives
Actin' all ganster threatenin' lives

It ain't so bad coming out of the cold
Livin' on the streets you won't grow old
Can't trust others to watch your back
Next thing you know your stuff's in their sack

Back where you're from you get a good meal
Surrounded by people where the carin' is real
Ain't a bunch of fools rippin' you off
Livin' with your family ain't so tough

Chorus:
Do it for your mother
Do it for your father
Do it for your sister
Do it for your brother

Fool you got to go home
Fool you got to go home
Fool you got to go home
Fool you got to go home

Outro:
You can't trust others to watch your back
You know your family is where it's at
Ain't a bunch of fools rippin' you off
Livin' with your family ain't so tough

You know its true
Your family is best for you
You got to go home