Lyrics If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) - Live at Webster Hall, NYC - Dec. 17, 2002 - Nas

Uh, ayo, we in the motherfuckin' house
Is Queens in this motherfucker?
It go life, I wonder
Will it take me under?
We don't give a fuck (uh, uh)

Imagine smoking weed in the street without cops harassing
Imagine going to court with no trial
Lifestyle, cruising blue Bahama waters, no welfare supporters
Conscious of the way we raise our daughters
Days are shorter, nights are colder
Feeling like life is over, these snakes strike like a cobra
The world's hot, my son got knocked, evidently
It's elementary, they want us all gone
Trooping out of state for a plate of knowledge

If coke was cooked without the garbage
We'd all have the top dollars
Imagine everybody flashing fashion, designer clothes
Lacing your clique up with diamond Roles
No parole, no rubbers
Check this out, imagine law with no undercovers
Just a thought for the mind
Take a glimpse into time
New York city, what's up?

If I ruled the world (imagine that shit, imagine that shit)
I'd free all my sons (ladies) I love 'em, love 'em, baby
Black diamonds and pearls (yeah)
(Could it be, if you could be mine, we'd all shine?)
If I ruled the world
(Still living for today, in these last days and times)

Ayo, we got history together, y'all (a'ight?)
Ayo, is somebody in this motherfucker?
Ladies full in this motherfucker?
Ayo, where's Queens at in this motherfucker?
All my Queens-
Where Harlem at in the parts?
Oh, shit (yeah)
Harlem in this mothefucker

This that New York City (yeah)
Where this shit started at
We can't be having niggas sell out our shit (for real)
This is New York for real man
Ayo, it's the boogie down Bronx in this motherfucker