I’ve Been Here Before

[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)