(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
They claimin', I'm a criminal
They claimin', I'm a criminal
They claimin', I'm a criminal
Ooh, gotta run for time
Ain't much you can do when you're holdin' a phone
Can a nigga get rest after rest without the stress?
This time and day
But still I won't bite my tongue
They gotta nigga locked like the dread on my head, jack
That's the number one reason
This time and day
They claimin', I'm a criminal
Damn I miss my peeps and the rides in the jeeps
I love the kids and I teach 'em to love their father
Only the devil is stoppin' me from eatin' swine
But I'll take it, at least with that I'll make it
I'll get you some kicks and try to send some flicks
Ooh, gotta run for time
Ooh, gotta run for time
I was frustrated, I can't do no more push-ups
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
Come to find my crime was lettin' brothers know the time
Then they put the Glock to my chest
They claimin', I'm a criminal
And plus my prior record sealed my fate
This time and day
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
This time and day
They claimin', I'm a criminal
The beast is a bitch and I see it
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
Off to the clink with this bitch ass cop
They claimin', I'm a criminal
They claimin', I'm a criminal
They claimin', I'm a criminal
They claimin', I'm a criminal
Ooh, gotta run for time
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
Who keeps them on a level that's minimum
Ooh, gotta run for time
You can never know the penal 'til you been locked the fuck up in it
Niggas be swole up, locked down 'cos of a hold-up
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
Down at the station, interrogation is takin' place
One for all and in God we trust got me sent upstate
This time and day
This time and day
And my, casual freedom, where's my crew when I need 'em?
They claimin', I'm a criminal
Illegal search and seizure, somethin' that they're doin' at their leisure
Ooh, gotta run for time
But it's over, baby, yes it's over
It's the whole black race that they're fuckin' with
Best think 'fore I twitch or I'm popped
You might cry in the night when ya safe and outta sight
A visit ain't the same like being in the game
I just write tight shit to incite the young, to fight the one
And if I try to fight back, well then I'm dead, black
They got the right to try to burn me if I play violent
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
You're not cryin' but inside ya dyin'
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
This time and day
Ooh, gotta run for time
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
Yo X, I gotta lock it now but write me real soon
This time and day
Overcrowded jails but for me they're makin' space
Ooh, gotta run for time
Ooh, gotta run for time
(They claimin', I'm a criminal)
This time and day
"The devil made me do it", is what I say
I do the knowledge to 'em, so next time I can do 'em
Tell the devil to his face he can suck my dick
I know the game so I just roll with the procedure
This time and day
I know that you're a busy man, give me a minute
I got the right to an attorney and to stay silent
Got some bad news on my one phone call the other day
A million inmates but ya still alone
Ooh, gotta run for time
This time and day
They claimin', I'm a criminal
Ooh, gotta run for time
This time and day
