Welcome to the streets of no return
Where one wrong move leaves you to burn!
You look all around and see a world in pain
Yet you've got to be hard to avoid the flames!
You roll the dice of destiny: It's your only chance if you want to be free! Get a good shake, you'll break the curse-But if you lose things will only get worse!

Riots in the city streets-Fires engulfing the weak! Fibers of society are starting to tear-As the American dream becomes a nightmare!

That's life in the school of hard knocks-Where people try to swim rivers in concrete socks! That's life in the school of hard knocks-Where departure comes easy in a pine wood box!

Read the lines, another one deceased: Violence reigns in this time of peace! No haven is safe for your kids or wife: Ffor a measly dollar someone will take your life! Yet you've got to be mean, bring down the boot-10 eyes for an eye, 10 teeth for a tooth! In the concrete jungle there's just one rule: Do onto others before they do unto you!

Riots in the city streets-Fires engulfing the weak! Fibers of society are starting to tear-As the American dream becomes a nightmare!

That's life in the school of hard knocks-Where people try to swim rivers in concrete socks! That's life in the school of hard knocks-Where departure comes easy in a pine wood box!

From this urban nightmare there's no escape-Your chance of survival depends on your learning to hate! It's survival of the fittest, the weak will die-When you look at the reaper, spit in his eye!