1. I TRY TO PULL MYSELF UP, THROUGH THE MUCK AND THE MIRE, YOU PULL ME BACK IN,
EVERYTIME I TRY TO CLIMB OUT . THE MUCK AND THE MIRE,
YOU PULL ME BACK IN,
YALL A BUNCH OF BIG OLD CRABS IN A BARREL,
HOW IN THE WORLD CAN A BROTHER WIN?;
2. YOU BE SMILIN AND GRINNIN, OUTTA BOTH SIDES OF YOUR FACE,
(THEYRE SMILIN IN YO FACE)
SMILIN AND GRINNIN, OUTTA BOTH SIDES OF YOUR FACE,
(THEYRE SMILIN IN YO FACE)
YALL A BUNCH OF BIG OLD CRAB IN A BARREL,
TRYIN TO KEEP THE BROTHER IN HIS PLACE;
Refrain
YALL JUST,
CRABS IN A BARREL, PULLIN YOU DOWN DOWN DOWN, DOWN DOWN
CRABS IN A BARREL, PULLIN YOU DOWN DOWN DOWN, DOWN DOWN;
3. YOU CANT STAND TO SEE ANOTHER BROTHER MAKE IT.
IF IT CANT BE YOU, YOU CANT STAND TO SEE ANOTHER BROTHER MAKE IT.,
IF IT CANT BE YOU, BUT IF THEY EVER START TO MAKE IT,
GUESS WHAT, THE CRABS GONNA GET THEM TOO;
G To Refrain
4. ITS A SHAME HOW SOME FOLKS, LOVE TO SEE A BROTHER FAIL,
THE YOUNG FOLKS CALL EM HATERS,
THEYLL BEAT YOU DOWN LIKE A HAMMER DOES A NAIL
I CALLEM CRABS IN A BARREL, THEY CAN ALL JUST GO TO HELL;
Ad Lib Out
YALL ALWAYS SMILING, IN MY FACE,
AND TALKIN A LOT OF SMACK,
TALKIN ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE,
AND TALKIN A WHOLE HEAP OF SMACK,
THE PAIN THAT IM FEELIN,
IS THE KNIFE YALL STUCK IN MY BACK;