In the barrio you gotta learn how to survive
Cause you never know when its your turn to take a dive
* So you go through each day
With your eyes in the back of your head
You never know if youll be alive or be dead
Little Johnny Smith, they nearly laid that boy to rest
But hes still alive thank God, he must be heaven blessed
But you know that somewhere
Theres a bullet that says your name
You cant avoid the danger its part of this game
** That is why always have it
You carry a midnight special
Never leave home without it
Always better with a midnight special
In the dark on the street
Never know who youre gonna meet
No problem you got a midnight special
Cause you never know when its your turn to take a dive
* So you go through each day
With your eyes in the back of your head
You never know if youll be alive or be dead
Little Johnny Smith, they nearly laid that boy to rest
But hes still alive thank God, he must be heaven blessed
But you know that somewhere
Theres a bullet that says your name
You cant avoid the danger its part of this game
** That is why always have it
You carry a midnight special
Never leave home without it
Always better with a midnight special
In the dark on the street
Never know who youre gonna meet
No problem you got a midnight special