i was born in chicago in 19 and 41 i was born in chicago in 19 and 41 well my father told me son you had better get a gun well my first friend went down when i was 17 years old well my first friend went down when i was 17 years old well there s one thing i can say about that boy he gotta go well my second friend went down when i was 21 years of age well my second friend went down when i was 21 years of age well there s one thing i can say about that boy he gotta pray well now rules are alright if there s someone left to play the game well now rules are alright if there s someone left to play the game all my friends are going and thing s just don t seem the same oh thing s just don t seem the same babe