I need a reason to get up /before I wash my face

The junkies the Hookers the dealers the place

kickin' off my covers / trippin' off the fact

that I haven't called my gramma in a long long time

standin in the shower/ for almost half an hour

Tryin' to wake up/ and I'm lookin for the power

reachin' for the towel/ with soap in my eyes

dryin' off my shoulders / my chest and my thighs

The next thing I know/ the telephone rings

I hear my own voice /on the answering machine

please leave a message/ I'm glad ya called

I listen for a voice /but there's nothin' at all

Man oh Man

I gotta kick the blues

and pay respect where respect is due

all praises to GOD the one I return to

the one I can turn to

when I'm feelin burned to the bone



(chorus)

Early in the morn/ before I wash my face

The bed is still warm but there's an empty space

Easrly in the morn/ before I wash my face

a hundred thousand miles is a lonely place



At six in the morning /she rolled outa bed

stared out the window/ and then she said

that I wasn't her type...

I think she's runnin outa types though...and I told her so.

She picked up her things and walked through the door

and then said that she couldn't see me no more

just as she was leaving /I asked her if she'd call

she didn't look back / said nuttin at all

I didn't change my clothes/ because they smell like you

and when I took a shower it reminded me of you

I called Gramma Brown/for advice

it happened to me once/it happened to me twice

Michael/ my son/ you sound really bugged

I wish that you were here /so I could to you give

a hug then she gave me/ a long, long talk

she said "you have the patience /of ice on a sidewalk"

when things get rough/ don't sweat it

sometimes in life you just have to let it

and sing out a song / so strong

that even a bad dream couldn't bring harm

to the mind of a young childs battles

formed from the candle light shadows

her voice is like a whispering kiss on the forehead



(chorus)

Early in the morn/ before I wash my face

The bedisstill warmbut there's an empty space

Early in the mornin/beforeIwashmy face

a hundred thousand miles is a lonely place



In the last thirty minutes/before I fall asleep

when I have said my prayers /and I have brushed my teeth

This is the time /when I am forced to think about

all of the things/ I been tryin to forget about

The Bills, the phone, cleanin up my room

the cars, the traffic, the speakers and the boom

alone I remember /the times with me and you

and I realize my heart is shakin' up the room

Gramma she would tell us /about the glory days

and gramma she would tell us/ about when we were slaves

in the livin' room/ pianos outa tune

on top of it the pictures /of every bride and groom

child/ grand child /lost child

every single tear shed / every single smile

'cause everybodies got/ alota shit to deal with

and life doesn't stop/ it just makes ya feel it

so shake the dust/ offa your feet

take a step forward/ liberate with the beat

so for you/ I wrote this song

I wanted you to hear it/ before you are gone.

the African in me/ the Seminole in me

These are some a things my grandmother gave

to me some believe there are and some believe there

ain't if ever there was one my gramma Brown she is a saint



(chorus)

Early in the morn/ before I wash my face

The bed isstill warmbut there'san empty space

Earlyin themornin/ before I wash my face

a hundred thousand miles is a lonely place