[Verse 1:]
I had to do bad, so you can do better
I was locked in the pen when I wrote you this letter
But you was way too young, don't understand no evil and no better
It's time that I tell you who I am, so I can protect you.

[Pre-Chorus:]
'Cause a bad role model is something I can't afford to be (To you)
'Cause only me and God knows what I did just here.

[Chorus:]
I steal for you, I deal for you
That's what I did for you
To get a meal for you
Nearly died for you
Did the time for you
I survived for you
To provide for you
All this for you
Did this for you
All that I do
I do for you.

[Post-Chorus:]
So you don't have to...
So you don't have to...
So you don't have to...
So you don't have to...

[Verse 2:]
Made a couple trips home
Had a couple bricks on me
And always kept a stick on me
Can't let 'em make a victim of me
Risk my life for you
Dodging blue lights for you
Working overnight for you
So you're growing up to be just like me.

[Pre-Chorus:]
A bad role model is something I can't afford to be (To you)
Only me and God knows what I did just here.

[Chorus:]
I steal for you, I deal for you
That's what I did for you
To get a meal for you
Nearly died for you
Did the time for you
I survived for you
To provide for you
All this for you
Did this for you
All that I do
I do for you.

[Post-Chorus:]
So you don't have to...
So you don't have to...
So you don't have to...
So you don't have to...

[Bridge:]
Did it so you don't have to
Did it also that you never have to (Oh, no, no, no)
Did it so you don't have to (Don't do it)
Did it also that you never have to (Oh, no, no, no)
Did it so you don't have to (I did it)
Did it also that you never have to (Oh, no, no, no)
Did it so you don't have to (Don't do it)
Did it also that you never have to.

[Chorus:]
I steal for you, I deal for you
That's what I did for you
To get a meal for you
Nearly died for you
Did the time for you
I survived for you
To provide for you
All this for you
Did this for you
All that I do
I do for you.