Children's Story

"Children's Story" is a single by London-born American rap artist Slick Rick, from his album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. It is a tragic tale that can be interpreted as an implicit condemnation of violence and greed. It samples "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins and "Nautilus" by Bob James. It features a single, almost four-minute-long verse without instrumental breaks or a refrain. A testament to the influence of Slick Rick, his lyrics have since been sampled and reincorporated in countless hip hop songs. This song ranked #44 on About.com's Top 100 Rap Songs.

[Produced by Slick Rick] (Now here's a little something that needs to be heard) [Intro] Uncle Ricky, could you read us a bedtime story? Please, huh, please? All right, you kids get to bed, I'll get the storybook Y'all tucked in? Yeah Here we go [Verse] Once upon a time not long ago When people wore pajamas and lived life slow When laws were stern and justice stood And people were behavin' like they ought to: good There lived a little boy who was misled By another little boy and this is what he said: "Me and you, tonight we're gonna make some cash Robbin' old folks and makin' the dash" They did the job, money came with ease But one couldn't stop, it's like he had a disease He robbed another and another and a sister and her brother Tried to rob a man who was a D.T. undercover The cop grabbed his arm, he started acting erratic He said "Keep still, boy, no need for static" Punched him in his belly and he gave him a slap But little did he know the little boy was strapped The kid pulled out a gun, he said "Why'd you hit me?" The barrel was set straight for the cop's kidney The cop got scared, the kid, he starts to figure "I'll do years if I pull this trigger" So he cold dashed and ran around the block Cop radios in to another lady cop He ran by a tree, there he saw this sister Shot for the head, he shot back but he missed her Looked 'round good and from expectations So he decided he'd head for the subway stations But she was coming and he made a left He was runnin' top speed 'til he was outta breath Knocked an old man down and swore he killed him Then he made his move to an abandoned building Ran up the stairs up to the top floor Opened up the door there, guess who he saw? (who?) Dave, the dope fiend shootin' dope Who don't know the meaning of water nor soap He said "I need bullets, hurry up, run!" The dope fiend brought back a spanking shotgun He went outside but there was cops all over Then he dipped into a car ‒ a stolen Nova Raced up the block doing 83 Crashed into a tree near university Escaped alive though the car was battered Rat-a-tat-tatted and all the cops scattered Ran out of bullets and he still had static Grabbed a pregnant lady and pulled out the automatic Pointed at her head and he said the gun was full o' lead He told the cops "Back off or honey here's dead" Deep in his heart he knew he was wrong So he let the lady go and he starts to run on Sirens sounded, he seemed astounded And before long the little boy got surrounded He dropped his gun, so went the glory And this is the way I have to end this story He was only seventeen, in a madman's dream The cops shot the kid, I still hear him scream This ain't funny so don't ya dare laugh Just another case about the wrong path Straight and narrow or yo' soul gets cast Good night [Outro] (Knock him out the box, Rick Knock him out, Rick) - Oh boy, that Uncle Ricky is really weird - I know right what does he mean “Straight and narrow or yo’ soul gets cast"? - I don’t know, I think he be crackin' it up or something - Well, good night - Good night Another (that's right!) Rick the Ruler presentation Crumbs!