[Verse 1: None Like Joshua]
I left the gangsta life, but it never left me so (That gangsta life)
When I heard that she died thought that it ain’t my fault though (Wasn’t me)
I just want to survive, no need to get involved, no (No need)
Ain’t about a life of crime, but my nine to five’s slow (Why me?)
I left the gangsta life, now it’s pulling me back (Pulling me back)
Got to toughen up and fight cause they on attack (They on attack)
Look inside her eyes, show her that I never left (Never left)
Now I’ma set things right whеn they ask what set I rep
Feel likе a shook one
When they tell me “Nah, you ain’t a crook, son”
Can’t run away every time and just look dumb
Got to protect my hood from the hoodlums
We pulling up cause they want to push us
Ops want to kill, they already took blood
I see the future, ain’t lookin good, but
Maybe I can change it all if I stood up

[Chorus: McGwire]
Welcome back to the thug life
Kiss the old one goodbye
Will you man up and fight?
Or you closing your eyes?
Welcome back to the thug life
Where the snakes love to hide
Will you man up and fight?
Or you let them all die
[Bridge: None Like Joshua]
Welcome, welcome back, ain’t no open arms (Welcome back)
Unless they throwing hands, trying to show me harm (Welcome back)
Welcome, welcome back, ain’t no big parade (Welcome back)
Unless we marching in to stomp all on yo gang

[Verse 2: None Like Joshua]
(That gangsta life) I left the gangsta life, but it never left me, so
I’ma get revenge on anybody coming in to take a life from any friend and then I’ll see you fold like
Cards up in your hand, but I’ll be gambling to win ,no longer holding in my fist, I’m a take what she’s owed by
Guarding her again until she’s living in present because you brought her into this, so the squad bringing smoke (We brought smoke)
Yes I will defend and put you on the pavement like ride or die on the road
If you gon pretend, then we ain’t shaking any hands, I’ma throw it in your chin unless you a bro, so
Threat that you send, man, it’s blowing with the wind, even if I go broke in my will or skeleton
Be a man amongst men, take a breath, count to ten, that’s how many I’m up against when it’s one versus them
Survival of the fittest
But you know that I am dying just to fit in
Temperature rising up when the gang is pitted
They gon feel the heat like dogs on these bitches
Looking out for homies, they gon need a witness
Stabbing in the back like bloods are getting crippin
Don’t want to be the most infamous in it
I just want to save em before their life is finished

[Chorus: McGwire]
Welcome back to the thug life
Kiss the old one goodbye
Will you man up and fight?
Or you closing your eyes?
Welcome back to the thug life
Where the snakes love to hide
Will you man up and fight?
Or you let them all die
[Outro: None Like Joshua]
Welcome, welcome back, ain’t no open arms (Welcome back)
Unless they throwing hands, trying to show me harm (Welcome back)
Welcome, welcome back, ain’t no big parade (Welcome back)
Unless we marching in to stomp all on yo gang