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Chart History
From the album Dangerous Minds Soundtrack, Gangsta's Paradise was a #1 Pop hit for Coolio in 1995.

Songwriter:
Artis Ivey, Jr., Larry Sanders, Doug Rasheed & Stevie Wonder


J's Journal:
This song paraphrases (or rapaphrases) Psalm 23, which begins with the famous line: "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." In John 10:11, Jesus reveals the following: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." He talked a lot about sheep, and He said that one day He would separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). We actually flew on the same plane with Coolio on our way to a concert in Dallas in 2001. In fact, the radio station had a limo waiting for us (not something we're used to) at the airport, and Coolio mistakenly thought it was his limo. Karl had to tell him.
Stats:
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Length: 4:13

Shepherd's Paradise
Parody of "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio
(Psalm 23, John 10:1-30, Matt. 25:31-46)

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will not fear for my life -- I realize that God's with me
His rod and staff have been with me so long
He's been keepin' me from all the places that I might go wrong
But He's the shepherd, I'm the lamb and dinner He serves me
Lets me eat it right in front of foes who would hurt me
They better not touch,they watch me, but they can't touch me
They do and they know that they'll be fighting with God
He filleth up my cup and it overflows
It's no joke, come see yourself, see my cup is so ... full
I'm the kind of sheep that's where the grass is always green
Still waters He leads me beside, stayin' there is a sweet life
The Good Shepherd rules my life
I'm givin' Him the thanks for Paradise
You can spend eternal life
Livin' in the Shepherd's Paradise
Look at the declaration that God is makin':
"I will give my own life in exchange for the sheep."
And he's got it written down in the Good Book
Turn the television off a while and take a look
He's a shepherd who is good to everybody in His flock
Chapter 10, verse 11 in the Gospel of John
Yes, the Lord's my shepherd -- what could be better?
And my home is a mansion in His house forever (Cool!)
Death ain't nothin', so I'll not be afraid
His lovingkindness with follow us all the way
Psalm 23 tells you all of this but there's plenty more
You may even know it -- I don't know
Tell me why is He so kind to His sheep
When we wander away so easily?
An hour is a-coming -- coming in a while where
He will make divisions -- by His mighty power
Shepherd's gonna come and
Decide between the sheep and the goats
And we're all gonna listen as final words are spoken
He'll say you goats deserted me when I was poor and needy
A naked, hungry, stranger -- how did you treat me?
I guess they failed, I guess they're goats, I guess they flunked
That's why I know I like it in the sheepfold


©2010 Parodudes Music, Inc.