I’ve Been Here Before

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I was next to Dr. King on the balcony when he was hit In the front row, taking notes when Malcolm was floored In the back of the bus when Rosa was put in cuffs 'til I was free I wasn't to be ignored I was climbing the mountain but I inched off the path Nothing sustaining but staff, pen and pad, I had to laugh [?] children to reach and teach and make to build with This jigsaw was a gift and disguise, my eyes were open Mystery paydays cloaked in a phone call My canvas is a collage of [?], some brushstrokes I'll take to my grave Out here, sometimes I feel all alone Mama, I don't know if I'ma ever get home, tell Taya I love here and the kids the same 'cause I've changed my name and I've changed my addresses I've washed the sheets and I've flipped the mattresses I know life's a play but I can't tell what act this is On highways somewhere in something city In a van with a group of friends who don't know what an atlas is Walked through life on stilts to see heads following after Sit in glass houses, throw stones 'til the ceiling shatters Swallow shards 'til blood quenches my thirst Stay armed with proverbs, prepare for the worst Then my wife kisses my cheek, my sons give me hugs So I keep spinning my wheels 'til I escape the mud Love tattooed, press on on my conscious I have to continue to duck and weave through the snakes and monsters [Refrain] I've been here before (Where were you when it happened?) I've been here before (but it feels like the first time) I've been here before (but I can't recall what path I took to get to the place where I felt fine) [Verse 2] I was drowning in tears when Nat Turner was lynched Begging for mercy when Jesus' wrists were nailed Bedside when Marcus Garvey took his last breath The only way to deal with the pain was to rebel 'til you've seen my photo album, don't question development Yes I know the road forks when I question irrelevance Situational ethics bleeding conscious fabricated relationships, blinded logic For a thousand lifetimes, I've walked scenic routes, burying hatchets Burning bridges at both ends to minimize the madness Out here, sometimes I feel all alone Mama, I don't know if I'ma ever get home, this Life I've chosen is draining my energy I've asked for help but everyone around me seems empty I've ironed my pants and I've folded my shirts Told my job that I'm never coming back to work I'm a one man puppet show, Jim Henson incarnate No strings attached 'cause I thought that fencing was harmless Every point punctures armor, perfectly poised Exposed [?] and melody, not to be confused with noise Controlled prose to only bridge gaps, embrace for impact The taste of nuclear holocaust sits in my knapsack Variables of parables keep me balanced Vibrant brilliance, continue to shield my talents Love tattooed, press on on my conscious I have to continue to duck and weave through the snakes and monsters [Refrain] I've been here before (Where were you when it happened?) I've been here before (but it feels like the first time) I've been here before (but I can't recall what path I took to get to the place where I felt fine) I've been here before (Where were you when it happened?) I've been here before (but it feels like the first time) I've been here before (but I can't recall what path I took to get to the place where I felt fine)