AWOL

I remember how it started, remember the time

I was watchin' Rap City 'bout a quarter to nine

Commercial said the military givin' money for school

Caught the bus up to my campus - they was signin' recruits

And met this dude named Diablo, was some kinda vet

He explained the situation, told me what to expect

He said, "We'll help you pay for college - and train you for work"

Said I could take computer classes and could quit if I want

But best of all was the fact I'd - have my own shit

I'd have my own space and have my own place to kick it

On top of that I'd travel - and visit the world

Hell, Diablo said the women overseas was the pearl

Didn't even call my girl - let's get it on fo' sho'

Signed my name, took some tests and I was outta the door

A true soldier for America - ready to go

On the road - a vacation'll be good for the soul

Don't mind what they sayin', no

They lie in what they say fa' sho

They don't play when it come to war

Ya know they get down, they get down, they get down

I showed up at basic training, but what a mistake

'Cause this motherfuckas yellin' at me all in my face

In this dirty-ass latrine, fifty men in a room

Runnin' laps up in the mud at 4 o clock in the mornin'

Was scrubbin' toilets, doin' laundry, and feelin' the pain

If I didn't know no better I'd think "Boy" was my name

Same bullshit line - so many bit 'fore me

Got a nigga twisted up in this illusion of freedom

Fuck this shit - I'm out tomorrow, made up my mind

Everything Diablo said I'm findin' out was a lie

That's when my unit got the call, the Commander in Chief

Wanted ground troop assignments keepin' peace in the East

What a relief, I'm thinkin' finally something new

Shipped us off and twenty hours later we was en route

Touched down around eleven - the desert was brutal

Then the ground split and caught us by surprise from the shootin'

Don't mind what they sayin', no

They lie in what they say fa' sho

They don't play when it come to war

Ya know they get down, they get down, they get down

It was all surreal, seen 'em blow the spine out his back

In a mine field, we was reelin' from the attack

Seen the MO's hand upon the receiver, still attached

With no arm in it - set off the beacon, then I mashed

To the first truck, blood and guts splashin'' my face

Cuttin' kids down, couldn't have been no older than 8

What the fuck is goin' on? Who we fightin' and why?

Killin' kids killin' killers, who the fuck is supplyin'?

I'm cryin' out for protection, but none of it came

So I dumped in all directions 'til the heater was drained

But that night vision shit, wasn't helpin' us win

Caught a round of friendly fire but it wasn't so friendly

We simply got lucky - headed back to the base

Seen a soldier rape a woman, shot her dead in the face

Guts stuck to my clothes, body parts galore

If this a peace-keepin' mission, I ain't ready for war

And now I'm back home bitter, and sick and contagious

And knowin' we some bullies, that's why everyone hates us

Still broke than a motherfucka, niggas is starvin'

And that job trainin' shit is only good for the Army

I guess I shoulda been a C.O., and kept up a file

Shoulda listened when my homie said we murder for oil

Now I'm fuckin' with this wheelchair, ain't nothin' the same

And I'm knowin' confrontations more than video games

War is pain