[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)