`~*SEVEN TRAVELS*~`



"Trying To Find A Balance"



[Slug]

They love the taste of blood

Now I don't know what that means, but I know that I mean it

Maybe they're as evil as they seem

Or maybe I only look out the window when it's scenic

"Atmosphere finally made a good record."

Yeah right, that shit almost sounds convincing

The last time I felt a sinking contradictive as this

Was the last time we played a show in Cinnci'

"Get real." they tell me

If only they knew how real this life really gets

They would stop acting like a silly bitch

They would respect the cock whether or not they believed in it

Doesn't take much and that's messed up

Because these people do a lot of simple shit to impress us

While everyone was trying to out-do the last man

I was just a ghost trying to catch someone's[summers?] Pac-man

Hello ma'am, would you be into restin'

In some sexual positions and emotional investments

See, I'm not insane, in fact I'm kind of rational

When I be askin', "Yo, where did all the passion go?"

East coast, West coast, down South, Midwest

Nowadays everybody knows how to get fresh

Somebody give me a big yes (YES!)

God Bless America, but she stole the B from "Bless" (Accept it)

Now I'm too fucked up to dance

So I'ma sit with my hand down the front of my pants

You can't achieve your goals if you don't take that chance

So go pry open that trunk and get those amps (You know!)



[Chorus x2]

In the days of Kings and Queens I was a jester

Treat me like a God, oh they treat me like a leper

You see me move back and forth between both

I'm trying to find a balance

I'm trying to build a balance



[Slug]

So now I keep a close eye on my pets

Because they make most of they moves off of instinct and sense

It's eat, sleep, fuck in self defense

So straight you can set your clocks and place bets

Wait, let's prey on blind, deaf, dumb, dead

Hustle, maybe a couple will love what you said

Emcees drag their feet across a big naked land

With an empty bag of seed and a fake shake of hands

Yeah I got some last words, FUCK ALL OF YA'LL!

Stop writin' raps and go play volleyball

Gotta journey the world in a hurry

Cause my attorney didn't put enough girls on the jury

Guilty of droppin' these bombs in the city

But I'm innocent, love is the motive that's why you're killin 'em

Guilty of settin' my fire in all fifty

But I'm innocent, blame it on my equilibrium



[Chorus x2]

In the days of Kings and Queens I was a jester

Treat me like a God, oh they treat me like a leper

You see me move back and forth between both

I'm trying to find a balance

I'm trying to build a balance



I gotta find my balance

I gotta find my balance



[Slug]

Now all my friends are famous

It's either one thing or another

They all don't know what my name is

Probably know both of my brothers

The one is a hard workin' savior

The other's a hard workin' soldier

I'm just your next door neighbor

Workin' hard at tryin' to stay sober

You wait for the car at the corner

Pretend like you know what the pot is

Won't quit till I hit California

And make you my Golden State goddess





"Bird Sings Why The Caged I Know"



It's the bird, it must have been the bird

Disgusting critter, it must

We should have known better then to trust

This disease infested ball of lust and carnage

Piece of garbage with wings and she has the guts to sing

Get the bird, catch her shoot her, I dont care

Get the bird, bring her down to the ground from out the air

Gotta tear her apart, let me at her first

Sink her to the level of the rest of us that inherit the earth



What's she thinking? does she really believe

That shes above the creatures that work the dirt and the streets

See her up in the tree, looking down at you and me

Like she's chosen over those who walk around on two feet

The bird, the melodys she play

The music she make, rubbing our faces in the feces of the daybreak

Trying to remind us, its time to awake

Antaganizing and instigating my hate

The chirps, I turn them into screams

My feathered friends end will justity the means

Disturbed, I'll grab her by her beak

And swing her in circles untill she's too dizzy to speak



Well I'll shake her from her branch, tear apart her nest

Break her skinny legs and fry her eggs up for breakfast

(she's a snake that can fly) she's just food for the fleas

She thinks she's better then me just because she's free?

I'll shake her from her branch, tear apart her nest

Break her skinny legs and fry her eggs up for breakfast

(she's a snake that can fly) she's just food for the fleas

She thinks she's better then me just because she's free?



My beautiful bird has gone away [x12]

"Reflections"



[Chorus: repeat 2X]

Look at your face

When all I could see was myself looking back at me

Reflection

And all I could do was think about sleeping next to you



[Slug]

What would it take to make a women like you

You a wolf like me for what I really might be

Listening to the lyrics only heres what I allow

You gotta try and make me testify for here and right now

Lets have a confrontation over a cold one

I'll give you conversation just to see if you can hold em

I play so dumb

Because I know some of these star struck small talk art fucks is no fun

I'm the blood type that goes straight for the guns

Like before you even spoke already knew what your loves like

So what you thinking?

Because I'm thinking we should jump into your ocean

Let's go girl this ship is sinking



[Chorus: repeat 2X]

Look at your face

When all I could see was myself looking back at me

Reflection

And all I could do was think about sleeping next to you



[Slug]

Now there's no reason to lie, I've had a lot of lovers

In my reality its impossible to avoid it

But theres one reason for life gotta provide some supper

Gonna build a family just to watch some one destroy it

Do you really think you really wana get to know me better

Don't you see the drama

Don't you feel the pressure

Don't get me wrong it would be my pleasure

To sing a song that could remove your shoes and your sweater

Bartender let me get a shot of bean

Cause this girl over here is trying to get me out my jeans

And she doesn't seem to believe i'm just another thief

Came to take a piece and make you stutter when you breath



Now girl you to smart to be a tour mark



Set to play correct from the start with your pure heart

And when your all alone ill sing into your phone

If you don't know the words you can make up your own



The first time she met the devil was at first avenue

Went back stage with him into the dressing room

Sexy ego trip

Taller than expected

About six foot three

Seemed to thrive on his misery

Critical observant big words

Sweaty hair sunken eyes and thick nerves

She said ill make em smile for the simple fact that he needs it

I'll make him smile just so I can kill it an eat it



You look like you were built for me

You talk like you want to steal my drink

You kiss like you already came

And that's a lift to pull a line for those with out any game



It's like damn baby

You know you can't save me

But you should still tell your people that your leaving with the band

Maybe you can show me your hustle

Neither one of us would be so lonely

If only you would come over here and hold me

I caught you trying to hide your smile behind your glass

But all of your secrets become a swing set when you laugh

And all of your regrets that you're carrying a burying

Don't mean a damn thing if there's nobody to share them with



We've been following each other all night now

We ought to be all over each other like right now

I don't like crowds lets take flight now

Cause that face that you make

Reminds me of my life now



[Chorus: repeat 6X]

Look at your face

When all I could see was myself looking back at me

Reflection

And all I could do was think about sleeping next to you



"Only trying to find myself inside of you"



"Gotta Lotta Walls"



Dialed up his homie Murs on the telephone

Gotta talk to somebody who can tell him what the hell is wrong

Brain freezing up, he don't know what to do

But the people that know him know that it ain't nothing new

Catch five rings, then an answering machine

Hang up on the beep, stare up towards the ceiling

Stood up to remember that he slept fully-dressed

So he grabbed his keys and put a hat on his rat's nest

Stepped up to that big outside

Somebody once said "Today's a good day to die."

But he never really was a big fan of their work

So he starts up the walk by kicking sand in the dirt

A friend to the strangers, a stranger to friends

He'll take a coffee and a pack of cigarettes when you have a minute

Handle it. Paid up. The change, you can keep it

He's a sucker for the morning smile and summer cleavage

If you knew him better he'd ask for some time

Cuz he's looking for a reservoire to empty his mind

And there's only so much he can put in a song

Gotta talk to somebody who can tell him what the hell is wrong



[Hook 2X]

And this house has gotta lotta walls

But only very few mean anything to you

And this house has gotta lotta walls

But only very few mean anything to you



No shop value to titillate

Far from shallow, so get it straight

Blacktop, sidewalk,and the street

Cuz life is priceless and talk is cheap

And as he sits (as he sits) in his four-cornered room

Following a tune, born to consume

Carefully learning and analyzing the lyrics you use

Finally realizing that humility is a bruise

Scared love don't make none

If these walls could speak, they would peep about the fake ones

Watching this man, falling off of his plan-

Underachievin' just so he can understand. (Crazy reverse speech.)



[Hook]



So, who did your tattoos?

That's nice

And who built your tabboos?

That's life

If he had a glass pipe, he would smash it and use it to slash his wrists

But someone already beat him to it

He would fingerpaint you a picture with his blood

A self-portrait, dramatic and morbid

But the odds of you finding any appreciation are too slim-

Keeps his outlook grim

Tap his foot to the rhythm of original sin

Throw his balls to the wind trying to know down these pins

He'll keep swinging from the hair above his chin

Till he finds his soul in the fifty cent bin

The price of the payphone escalates

Fake smile when he takes home one of his dates

He could write another hate-poem for you to break

Or maybe stay calm and wait for that big earthquake

Still surrounded by the fire and the water

Still trying to honor this empire's daughter

Still answering questions you're afraid to ask

Still believing that God's gonna save his ass



[Hook]



If you knew him better he'd ask for some time

Cuz he's looking for a reservoire to empty his mind

And there's only so much he can put in a song

Gotta talk to somebody who can tell him what the hell is wrong



"The Keys To Life Vs. 15 Minutes Of Fame"



[Pilot over PA]

"Folks I know you're all dying to know how long--

I cannot answer that now. We're gonna have to remain as technicians come over

and take a look at it and uh once that's done, then we'll give you an estimate

I'd say it's probably at least uh 15 minutes or so."



[Verse 1]

It's like all of Franklin Avenue now sleeps upon my chest--my chest

I've used cigarette butts and loose leaves to build my nest--build my nest

Did I mention I appreciate the way you treat your guests?--guess not

But I'm not really convinced when you say that you're impressed--hell no

The line between MC and comedian gets a little thinner--little thinner

Now it's nothing but ruffage for lunch and punchlines for dinner--feed me

I've tried to open the blinds to let in some sunshine

Wound the watch 'til it broke all in hopes of stopping the time



[Chorus]

The key broke off in the ignition humping if I wandered off through my thoughts wishing

Hoping this could be for you but it is for me patiently I stay busy, I wait, I see [X2]



It's the sure shot [X6]



[Verse 2]

See it's simple--simple, it's not that I want to make it ripple--ripple

But I feel I'm only being civil--civil

When I sit back and giggle like the rest it's the ritalin-a-fest!

I'm stressed--stressed, but most of 'em would never guess--never guess

That I'm closing in upon the dredge

Why? Cause I think it'd be best for the who? To hide the mess from who?

It's all true--it's all true not good but I know it'll do--it'll do

Still trying to reach the kid in you

So I may continue to find why this childproof's so wild

I smile--smile, tired, I walked a thousand miles--miles

wired over the thoughts I've dialed--dialed

Inspired by the monsters, the files of life full of stars and stripes



[Chorus]



[Chorus End]

If you wanna sleep with me and talk about existance

We'll need more than 15 minutes

I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame

Push pause on the game and get to know each other by our real names

If you wanna sleep with me and talk about existance

We'll need more than 15 minutes

I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame

Push pause on the game and get to know each other by our first names

If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance

We'll need more than 15 minutes

I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame

Push pause on the game...What the fuck's your name?



"Los Angeles"



[Flight Announcement]

"Flight 101, Super Jet service for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles

will depart from Gate 12. Passengers may proceed into the

gate area for checking..." [faded out echoing]



[Slug]

(Oh yeah) Los Angeles, hot and bothered

Helicopters watch their daughters play parking lot soccer

A whole lot of love from the target's hide

Got a soul looking for a magic carpet ride

Environment, perfect for a hustle

Many people are distracted by the puzzle

And while they're not lookin', the angel got tooken

Welcome to the gray space between fingerprinting and booking

Do your best 'cause the lesson is love

It's enough to keep your head up, another day to get up

Wake up, and let the sun shine through the smog

Free the dialogue 'til everyone believes in God

L.A., to some it's hell, to some it's play

Pay the cover charge and watch what you say

The Barbie doll's caught, body parts come off

And I think she's a he...STOP, look at how it walks

They got the weirdoes, the talent, the beautiful

An arm and a leg for a one-story cubicle

And if the heat don't beat you, the pigs will

Everyone's relaxed, but no one can sit still

Los Angeles... I love it, I love it...

(Lips Glisten... believe 'em.)



"Ooh California highway... California my way."



"Lift Her Pull Her"



You don't know me

You just left me

You don't know me

You just left me

You don't know me

You just left me

You don't know me

You just left me



And he was a man

Or so he thought

Paid attention to the lessons that he taught

Second hand me down blessing

She was short on patience

Carried person hated every day people

The plight of the pessimist

Habitual living daily schedule consisted of work

Television and sexual moments

But some times it gets so hope less

When non-sense raises an oct of thought blocks

With a firm grasp on the grudge they both clutched in the name of love

Fear of the results had push ever came to shove

Seduced for fun

Produce a a lot of fight

Two youths on the run

Learning some truth about life

And when he stares at the stars he reflects on the moon

The time the talks they share walking around calhoon

And when she watches the look on his face as he sleeps

She recalls every inch as to how it got this deep



Now how am I to know you like the way I laugh

I can't read the map, no ones ever seen the path?

The one you take a bath with is the same on the freeze your path

Oh you going out? what time you goin be back?



Cause they were two perfect kids

In a two perfect worlds

Today the part of man and women will be played by boy and girl

Lets all take seats

Please quiet during the performance

Lift her pull her from the orchids



Trying to read the script but keep getting trapped in the margins

Lift them pull them from the gardens



Your horoscope says we should share an apartment

Lift them pull them apart from their gardens



Now she was smart

She grew up with this complex

That the people that surrounded her seemed to expect the world

And he was tall over six no attempt to predict the fall

Though he'd seen it all

Until his all became that girl

She said she loves the drugs

But when she comes down

She speaks about finishing

She's convinced its the last visit

He doesn't know the difference between come and go

Just give him one to grow and watch him collapse inside of a half pivot

She died her hair black

Maybe now she can relax

Maybe now the regulars will stare half as hard

He wears a old face and beer gut

Existence validation printed on the monthly statements

That comes from master card



He thinks she sleeps to much

She thinks he spends to much

He thinks her friends are jokes

She thinks he's out of touch

He thinks she drinks to much

She think he thinks to much

Its all another phase turning the page in the book of growing up



She's has seen a lot of sex

He tried to hide his resentment

But their wasn't nothing thing left for them to label new

But sometimes the obvious ain't simple to see

Cause even the time that they killed

Wasn't something that she wasnt accustomed too

She never comprehended what to make of it

He was never quite prepared to study the reaching

Together they shared the sacred practices of breathing

The weather was fair how ever the hovering clouds weren't leaving



Discover the little drama demons that hide deep inside the frame work

And live in That congested brain

They had old lovers on the side old flames

That some how managed to spark regardless of the pouring rains

And each time they mixed up the ingredients

They'd recheck the recipe to see maybe they written it incorrectly

Collect me consume me release me snuggle

Two geniuses putting together the pieces to a blank puzzle



Every time I chase a squirrel it rips apart my world

Every time I chase a squirrel it rips apart my world

Every time I chase a squirrel it rips apart my world

And every time I chase a squirrel it rips apart my world





"Shoes"



[Slug]

Would you prefer if I remove... MY... UHH?

Nah they.. they clean..

I mean.. what?

You wanna look at the bottom of...?



My shoes are clean girl, how about yours?

Here we are sitting on your living room floor

Listening to some records from your collection

Boredom; in between a coma and an erection

Staring at the skin on your shoulder blades

And you don't take your eyes off my poker face

I'm wasted, and your as sober as Jehovah

Knocking door to door, trying to walk to road

That the Mormon's paved

If she was here on your sofa with a beer on a coaster

She'd of told 'ya that my game was way over played

Make no mistake

I love the way you taste like yogurt and some clover cigarettes

Girl show me leg!

So I'ma gonna trade these shoes for rollerskates

And I'ma stay happy just as long as there is a whore to pay

But some of us already spent the rent

So we can't be content until there isn't no more today



[Chorus: repeat 2X]

Those are your shoes

These are my shoes

We've got issues



My shoes are muddy girl, how about yours?

Here we are loungin' on your bedroom floor

I'm really drunk so I'm looking at your carpet like

Man, fuck the permit, I know where I'ma park tonight

It's closing time, the spins are gonna visit me

They're rolling thick like they know they taking victory

But not tonight, right, I'ma make some history

Get up in your system and direct it like a symphony

Let me get to be the man of your mystery

'Cause them meddeling kids don't understand your sensitivity

Show some sympathy

Let me kiss your feet

Let's talk about a pretty bird and a busy bee

If I live to see fifty, I'ma be a tipsy, dirty old man

Still following my kid beliefs

I know it isn't really your responsibility

So we'll be strait once I take a hit of Listerine



[Chorus]



I can't find my shoes girl, how about yours?

Here I am naked on your bathroom floor

I got faded, and you fell asleep

And I'm thanking God that this date was hella cheap

Sitting down, trying to keep the liquor down

Light, stars and sounds everything flickers now

Sick bound, the whole room twists around

In front of the toilet assume the position to drown

Here it comes! Whiskey out bounces all over the floor

Now I'm sitting in the bitches mound

I'm just a clown and I'm sorry I found it funny

When you tripped over my shoes and hit the ground

Didn't know you would rip your gown

Didn't think you would shout and get so loud, get so wound

Yeah I'm drunk, but I'm more than a little proud

I'm leaving, fuck the shoes you keep them, I'm getting out



[Chorus]



Perfection [repeat 4X]





"National Disgrace"



[Slug]

(I pledge allegiance to Budweiser and free drugs)

Peace to Rick James, Anna Nicole Smith, Bill Clinton

And Motley Crue

And anyone else who has ever utilized their 15 minutes

Of fame to realize their true dreams of being an

Absolute jerk off, just to keep the masses entertained

This goes out to learning from the mistakes of others



Bring it on now

Come on

I said come on

I said come on



[Verse 1]

They call me a jerk, once they get to know me

But they don't stop calling, they read me well

It's no work if I was phony, I'd win a trophy

Who needs to make records when there's seeds to sell

Freak the bell, and make it all spin crooked

God please help, too much grim to look at

Grab the tree by the limb and shook it

Like, "Have you seen my self esteem, where the hell'd you put it?"

Oh wait, never mind, I found it in a bottle

Drunk at the Troubadour talking to a model

Wrecked the rental on Santa Monica Boulevard

I was headed to the El Rey to slap a security guard



[Chorus]

Rowdy, stubborn, loud and arrogant

As American as apple pie and embarrassment

Package the kid's face, put it on display

Look ma!, another national disgrace

Dumb and ignorant, drunk and belligerent

Open up your heart y'all, come on and let me in

Package the kid's face, put it on display

Look ma!, another national disgrace



[Verse 2]

The liquor gets hold of the head liver's soul

Blurry on Sixth Street and Red River Road

Last thing I remember was the Ogden Theatre

Backstage bathroom making out with all three of ya

Kicked out of Topcats... for where I put the vomit at

Finally passed out in a laundry mat

Malnourished and topless, slurring and obnoxious

Like, "Yo, we got this!"

The Zodiac Killers 'bout to rock this

At the Great American Music Hall, pissin on the box office

Pick apart the detail, alcohol and females

All around the world same song

Houseton and Ludlow, Maxfish, Vampire

You poor the beer and I'll bring the satire

No prob, I'll play the part of doorknob and make it look

So good you're gonna wish that it was your job



[Chorus]



[Verse 3]

It's all about the hangovers, and late checkouts

Maid banging on the door like, "Wake up! Get Out!"

But Come on mami, y'all probably don't want me comin'

Out like a Zombie brushing teeth in the lobby

This is a career, not a hobby

Ain't no reason to fear what you wanna see

Hey paparazzi, don't you wanna watch me quote the

Fonzi and then crash his Mazaradi?

Sweat pants, t-shirt, mesh hat, blue blockers

Feeding checked in to a room full of teenie boppers

Howdy neighbor, take a shot for flavor

Let's debate whether or not we should punch the waiter

I'm just kidding, let's love each other

It goes lick, swallow, suck, and order another

Do what you like, don't nobody care

It's a sign of success only in America



[Chorus]



[Chorus End: 4x]

I didn't cooome to start no trouble or hurt no one

I'm just heeere to get drunk, party, and have some fun





"Good Times (Sick Pimpin')"



This next one goes out

To all the depressed women in the house

Whether you're taking the prozac the zanac or the paxil

Whatever the hell they put into that capsule

I want y'all to come up to the front of the stage

Grab me A shot of something along the way

Put A smile on the front of your head



[CHORUS]

Got A thing for the women that dont love themself

So either loosen up your hair or tighten up your belt

This time, this time is A good time

Good times



Got A thing for the women that dont love themself

So either loosen up your hair or tighten up your belt

And this town, this town, is A good town

A good time. A good time



You know while she's sitting by the window, she's waiting for her prince to come

And here I am on the opposite side of the room trying to pretend that I'm not that dumb

It goes older told and full of cold, but did I mention that it's well deserved

No let's make A mess, no let's make A baby, no let's make some hell on earth

Do you mind if I turn out the lights, if I'm going to be alone I'd rather do it in the dark

So I stare at half of A beer half wishing that the transmission would stay in par

She keeps the music down, so her neighbors don't complain

Keeps the drama up, so she doesn't forget the pain

I keep my ? inside the reaction

And hide my pride inside of my laughter

It goes



[CHORUS]



And I'll never forget the day you woke up

To find A whole different world underneath your socks

Forgot to check your pockets before you the checked the cost

Yes man, I saw the sign, no man I couldn't stop

Drop off, now look who got water on the lawn

Whatever it takes to calm your tongue

If this livingroom fills with anymore fuss

I'm going to cut my finger, I'm going to paint these walls

If anybody watched us

They probably called the cops, cause

Its obvious that neither one of us can adjust

Discussion becomes disgust

? the lady I thought she would save me from the bumrush

Enough is enough, but how much is too much

Why am I still just A sheep to your touch

Why can't I ever fall asleep at dusk

Why do I need to see everything crushed

It's A big map girl, it's yours if you asked

If it dont wash up to the shore you wont discover it

Stand to get hotter then your head with that other shit

Swallow it to chase to follow the suffering

But I'm still smiling, still up to no great

Still trying to relocate

Somewhere I'm going to find some work that matters

Til then all you get is my smirk and my laughter

It goes



[CHORUS]





"In My Continental"



[CHORUS]

In my Continental

Splinter off the mental

When you want the best show

Never accept anything less

Elements of purpose

True love from the first kiss

Spread it on the surface

Sit back and watch the progress



[VERSE 1: Slug]

T-t-t-t-t-t-teacher, teacher, how can I learn patience?

Planted in the middle and outside of your nation

Take the care to build a familiar foundation

Speak to the youth that keep the truth sacred

Free the, free the good inside your heart

Your neighborhood, it needs you to travel with your art

From New York to Cali, some day they'll all know

Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Chicago

Now I've come a long way from the younger days

When I used to look up curse words in my dictionary

If life's a game, gotta choose a side to play

If I gotta pick a position I'ma pick missionary

I've had a little bit too much to think tonight

But it's cool, I be alright, just make sure that I keep travellin

Your reactions only reinforce the previous thoughts

You'd feel the distance even if the bridge was collapsin

Well, kudos and props and every hollow desire

That you could conjure in an instant that it takes to breathe

I got my Duplos and blocks and Lincoln Logs for when it's time to build

I wait patiently for them to catch up to speed

(And I'll be)



[CHORUS]



[VERSE 2: Slug]

T-t-t-t-t-t-t-teacher, teacher, show me what you know now

Load up your van with musicians and go south

Visit Atlanta, Memphis, Tulsa, Texas

Plug in the decks, check the mics, fight the wreckage

Keep the, keep the motive in your movement

Let em know where you come from and show them how you do it

Children are the focus, give em one to grow with

Learn em how to take they minutes, turn em into moments

See, nowadays cats think they on some next

And they sacrifice they voice just to go over heads

If I felt as if I had somethin special to tell

Why would I work against myself and hide it under my belt?

I used to try to lace the phrases with magic tricks

Every paragraph needed translation attached to it

They saw the style, respected the craft

But all I did was confuse em, would try to get em to laugh

Painted pictures in the primer, no one got the pulp

Found the humor, the anger and the insult

Why should I waste any oxygen

Tryin to find the in-between-the-lines that they get lost within?

I'm out there for the craft, for the cause

The laughter, the applause, the passion for the flaws

The fact that I'ma draw some heads to what I'm feelin

Lift em all up until they try to touch the ceiling

Come on and reach the, reach the masses won by singular

They hold you and they smile when they feel what you can bring to the

Culture and sow it, cultivate the flow with

Breath control and he kept it whole, be-

Cause piece by piece the picture turns to puzzle

If you lose a few those that remain change into rubble

Freedom is a word not heard from those that own it

Can't fix the machine if you don't have the components

(And I'll be)



[CHORUS]



Cause we're not from this planet

We come from somewhere else

And you can't understand it

Cause you don't know yourself

But when the time is right

Our path will be unveiled

Till then you seek your light

While I sit and bite my nails



"Always Coming Back Home To You"



To all my killers and my hundred dollar billers

To emo kids that got too many feelings



He held the register open while he counted her change

I was next in line which meant I was invisible

From where I stood I could see that the till was full

He didn't look the type to play superhero

So I stepped forth and paid for my cigarettes

Crept out the stores front door to chase a little breath

Fangles in my head, shake the song off

Another manic Monday night, its gonna be a long walk



A car pulled up, a fixed up cutlass

A woman and a child climbed out and left it running

They went inside of the deli, placed an order

With the extra dollar fifty bottled water cuz the daughters picky

When they came out mommy gave me a glance

That said man can love an angel but he's got to take the chance

Already knew the deal, I lit one up and walk

So they got back in the oldsmobile, belted up, and took off



Thug love on the corner by the walgreens

Lookin at me like I'm just another square saltine

As I get closer I notice that they showin each other sketches

Out of their notebooks, reminded me of my old roots



I walk pass with a nod and a reminisce

Swear to god hip hop and comic books was my genesis

Respect the life and the fashions of the children

It's the only culture I've got, exactly what we've been buildin



All of a sudden I'm in front of some man

No he's a youngin but he's got a gun in his hand

He looks fifteen, he looks frantic, no he looks afraid

Immediately apprehensive til I heard him say

"Do you want this It's not mine I promise

I found it on my block in between a couple garages

Didn't wanna leave it for a child to stumble over

I don't even know how to hold it."



It was a thirty eight, the poor mans machete

Held it in my hand, thinking damn man it's heavier then expected,

Wedged it behind my belt buckle

Knowin that its evil, even thought that I could smell trouble

The extra strength felt weak,

But over there on the corner saw what I needed and proceeded to cross the

Street

Put the heat in the mail box to loose it

Figured that the post office knows whats best to do with it



Mosey down the road thinkin' bout the old

I use to roam this zone with two feet of snow

Right here, this use to be a record shop

I've gotten love, I've gotten drunk, I've gotten beat up in that parking lot

I've had my lake street pride for three decades

These alleyways, and these streetlights have seen my best days

Before I was a germ learnin how to misbehave,

All the way to the grave, south side is my resting place



Took a right on Lindale I'm getting near

But then the road became empty and the people disappear'd

The clowds ran away, opened up the sky

And one by one I watched every constellation die

And there I was frozen, standin in my backyard

Face to face, eye to eye, starin at the last star

I should've known, walked all the way home

To find that she wasn't here, I'm still all alone



No matter where I am, no matter what I do

I'm always coming back home to you

They can leave me for dead they can take away my true

I'm always coming back home to you

Through the lies and the sins that ride the wind that blew

I'm always coming back home to you

As sure as the life in the garden that you grew

I'm always coming back home to you

No matter where I am, no matter what I do

I'm always coming back home to you

If only I had known what you already knew

I'm always coming back home to you

From the heaven I've had to the hell I been through

I'm always coming back home to you

I'm always coming back home to you



"Shhh"



Such a pleasure to come home

Cuz I...I have a very special love for this city



Well all right, well okay [x3]

Well all right [x3]



I wanted to make a song about where I'm from

You know? Big up my home town, my territory, my state

But, I couldn't figure out much to brag about

Prince lives here, we got 10,000 lakes

But wait, the women are beautiful, to me they are

And we're not infested with pretentious movie stars

And it hit me, Minnesota is dope

If only simply for not what we have but what we don't

It's all fair, it ain't out there, it's in there

It's in the mirror, behind the breast under the hair

Follow the dream doesn't mean leave the love

Roam if you must, but come home when you've seen enough

I love New York and Cali, but I ain't movin'

Too overpopulated saturated with humans

And I'm not big on rappers, actors, or models

If I had to dip, I'd probably skip to Chicago

None of this is to diss no one, nowhere

Like damn, I'm from Minnesota, land of the cold air

Too many mosquitoes and our fair share of egos

But like my man Sabe says, that's where my mommy stays



[Chorus:]

So if the people laugh and giggle when you tell em where you live

Say shhh, say shhh

And if you know this is where you wanna raise your kids

Say shhh, say shhh

If you're from the Midwest and it doesn't matter where

Say shhh, say shhh

If you can drink tap water and breathe the air

Say shhh, say shhh



Got trees and vegetation in the city I stay

The rent's in the mail and I can always find a parking space

The women outnumber the men two to one

Got parks and zoos and things to do with my son

The nightlife ain't all that, but that's okay

I don't need to be distracted by the devil every day

And the jobs ain't really too hard to find

In fact, you could have mine if you knew how to rhyme

This is for everyone around the planet

That wishes they were from somewhere other than where they standin'

Don't take it for granted, instead take a look around

Quit complaining and build something on that ground

Plant something on that ground, dance and sleep on that ground

Get on your hands and knees and watch the ants walk around

That ground Make a family, make magic, make a mess

Take the stress, feel your motivation and build your nest

It sucks that you think where I'm from is wack

But as long as that's enough to keep your ass from coming back

And with a smile and a hint of sarcasm, he said

"I beg your pardon but this is my secret garden"



All right

(In the land of ice and snow)

Well okay

(In the land of ice and snow)

Well all right

(In the land of ice and snow)

Well okay

(Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minneapolis)



[Repeat Chorus]



If the playground is clear of stems and syringes

Say shhh, say shhh

If there's only one store in your town that sells 12-inches

Say shhh, say shhh

If no one in your crew walks around with a gun

Say shhh, say shhh

And if you ain't gonna leave cause this is where you're from

Say shhh, say shhh



Well alright, well okay [repeated in background]

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Mankato, Minnesota

Duluth, Minnesnowta

Kansas City

St Louis, Missouri

Columbia, Missouri

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Madison

Milwaukee

Cincinnati, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Boulder, Colorado

Lawrence, Kansas

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Indianapolis

Say shhh..

Minneapolis [repeat to fade]












more