Crossroads by Bone, Thugs, n’ Harmony

Now tell me what you gonna do
When it ain’t no where to run (Tell me what)
When judgment comes for you (When judgement comes for you)
Tell me what you gonna do
When it ain’t no where to hide (Tell me what)
When judgement comes for you (‘Cause it’s gonna come for you)

Let’s all bring it in for Wally Eazy C’s Uncle Charlie
Little Boo see God’s got him
And I’m gonna miss everybody
I don’t roll with those I hate
Look to see where they lay
Don’t play with destiny plays too deep for people to say
Lil’ Lazie came to me
Told me if he should decease well then please
Bury me by my grand-grand
Anyway you can come follow me

God bless you workin’ on a plan to heaven
Follow the Lord all 24/7 days
God is who we praise even though the devil’s all up in my face
But he’s keeping me safe and in my place save grace
For the case to race with a chance to face the judge
And I’m bettin’ my soul won’t budge
Grudge because there’s no mercy for thugs
Oh what can I do It’s all about our family and how we roll
Can I get a witness let it unfold
We living our lives ’till eternal our souls
Ay-oh-ay-oh

Hey and we pray and we pray
And we pray and we pray
Every day every day every day every day
Hey and we pray we pray and we pray and we pray
Still we lay still we lay

Now follow me roll stroll
Where there is tell of this heaven
Come let’s go take a visit people that’s long gone
Darris, Wally, Eazy, Terry, Boo
It’s already creepin’ up on the family
Exactly how many days we got lastin’ while you laughin’
We’re passin’ passin’ away
So y’all wastin’ y’all souls
‘Cause I know I’m a meet you up at the crossroads
Y’all know ya’ll forever got love from them Bone Thugs baby
Lil’ Eazy’s gone gone
Really wish he could come home home
But when it’s time to die gotta go bye-bye
All a little thug could do was cry cry
Why they kill my dog damn
Man I mis my Uncle Charles y’all
And he shouldn’t be gone in front of his home
What they did to Boo was wrong oh so wrong
Gotta hold on gotta stay strong
When the day comes better believe Bone gotta show you can lean on

Hey and we pray and we pray and we pray and we pray
Every day every day every day every day
And we pray and we pray and we pray and we pray
Every day every day every day every day

CHORUS
See you at the crossroads crossroads crossroads
(So you won’t be lonely)
See you at the crossroads crossroads crossroads
(So you won’t be lonely)

REPEAT CHORUS

And I’m gonna miss everybody
And I’m gonna miss everybody
That’s long gone
And I’m gonna miss everybody
And I’m gonna miss everybody
And I’m gonna miss everybody
That’s long gone
And I’m gonna miss everybody

Livin’ in a hateful world (Sending me straight to heaven)
That’s how we roll
Livin’ in a hateful world (Sending me straight to heaven)
That’s how we roll
Livin’ in a hateful world (Sending me straight to heaven)
That’s how we roll
And I’m askin’ the good Lord why it’s I he told me we live to die

What’s with that murder ya’ll
See my little cousin was hung
Somebody was really wrong
Everybody wanted to touch the star
Then Miss Sleazy set up Eazy to fall
You know while we sayin’
That he intends on ending it when it ends
He’s gonna come again and again
So tell me what you gonna do

Can somebody anybody tell me why hey
Can somebody andybody tell me why
We die we die I don’t wanna die

REPEAT CHORUS TO FADE

I admire that Bone, Thugs, n’ Harmony took rap to a really poetic, profound and existential turn with this song, Crossroads. Once in a while, it’s good to reminded how mortal we are, and coupled with superb oral wordsmithing by this talented rap group of the 90’s, it’s timely. Notice how poignant they recalled loved ones passing away, some violently. And the hope that the song engenders, despite memento mori, with the chorus. I am quite proud of my generation that had heard this song in its decade, where the self-denial of many behind the pretensions of hedonism and social indifference grounded some egos to the inevitability of death, whose stark truth makes one view life clearly.

We have to love now, or our chance will be gone forever.

10 Comments »

  1. tuttysan Said:

    So good to find this in your blog. I actually have always liked this song, precisely for the reason you mentioned: we’re mortal, vulnerable and songs rarely touch on that.
    It’s really human and humane to remember the people we will be reunited to in the afterlife. The concept, though belittled by nihilists, is really the human heart’s power to see beyond superficialities. I feel happy that we are at kinship with this song.

  2. krkbaker Said:

    Wow Tom, I don’t think I’ve heard this song in ten years. FB!!
    You know what other song I really like? 8 Mile Road by Eminem. It’s a real positive type song for a writer, at least I think so. Ok, talk to you later, kim
    Thanks Kim, so we’re both into a little hip-hop. I look forward to you, okay. BTW, where’s your e-mail add?

  3. Flori Said:

    I memorized this when I was in high school. Oh cr*p, there I go betraying my age :P
    Yes, it is indeed poetry.
    It’s all right, we are all young at heart, wise in mind. Poetry occurs in the most unlikely of places. Take care, my friend.

  4. maliq Said:

    Memorizing this when I was in high school also happened to be a top priority for me lolz its a lovely work of art! Getting tired of the song is not happening today!
    Thanks for your sharing, Maliq! Nice to know you enjoyed this song like I do.

  5. Janete Cabral Said:

    I will have to listen to the song now!

    Great post, Tom

    Go ahead, you’ll like it. The music’s great, and Bone Thugz is a great group.

  6. rackoy Said:

    love this song!! made me hunt for it again :)
    Yes, it is a worthy listen.

  7. pinkemeralds Said:

    Wow, that’s a flash back!!! Love hip hop of the 90’s not so much now. Did you see the video to Crossroads?, the director did a great job delivering the message of the song.
    I did see the video, and I had an eerie feeling on account of those people going up the mountain, and with the tall angel there, because I thought, it could be really like that in the next life.

  8. bonethugfan7852 Said:

    Many distinguished thinkers throughout history have explored the effects of mortality and death. The content, form and function of poetical works on this topic have been debated throughout, framed by distinct and converging approaches. Using Bone Thugs as a contextual entry to this pursuit allows us all to turn inward, to consider not only the internal structure of the narrative, but also its historical framework, philosophical content and its pedagogical function. And what remains is the question that haunts my eternal soul: What did they do to Boo that was so wrong?

    Thanks for your in-depth and profound sharing! It’s nice of you visit and meet a fan. As for your last question…I really don’t have any idea as of the moment but I’ll try to research on that. Good day!

  9. thug Said:

    did we ever find out who boo is and what they did to him?

    My friend, I don’t know…I hope that everything with him is now fine.

  10. brandon Said:

    oh my gosh! i like totally love this songâ˜ș


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