The secret truth

If the shoe fits, wear it.
Don’t be mad ‘cause I want to share it.
You chump me off for being me.
You tell me the truth is what I can’t see.
You say that yours is the only way,
and that I’m wrong for refusing to play.
That the truth should be savored like a nice Hot Toddy
and that everything ain’t for everybody.
You told me to join the secret lodge.
To take the pledge and learn the dodge.
To learn to walk the sacred walk
and try to talk the sacred talk.
To learn to find that which was lost
I had to pay a nominal cost.
You said the shrine held all the knowledge.
Even more than I could learn in college.
All I have to do
is blindly follow you,
the kingdom would be mine to hold
since you have hoarded all the gold.
So I learned the handshake, the stand and the grip.
And across the sands I took the ship.
I even learned the secret wink,
and tired to learn the way you think.
I was told the tale of Solomon
and all the wisdom contained therein.
Then you said that these secret things
could only be shared with other Kings.
That I could learn what my brother couldn’t.
Because he did things he knew he shouldn’t.
I could even take a life,
if anyone brought the temple strife.
At first I went along with this
because I yearned for spiritual bliss.
But now I can no longer lie.
If my brothers in trouble so am I.
The truth does not belong to you
and to myself I must be true.
So, don’t hate me because I ain’t down
and took the truth and spread it around.
I just believe we all should be free.
If the truth is a lock, then pass the key.
The way you had me trying to keep it,
I know the truth ain't supposed to be no secret!

© 2005 swing first productions

Freedom

For years insanity ruled the day
Acting the fool was always me
I couldn’t just enjoy the play
The star I had to be

Life on the edge was all I knew
I loved the thrill of the chase
Opportunities I always blew
And blamed it on my race

I overdosed and almost died
Shot twice while on the run
My dad got sick and mom she cried
Their son lived by the gun

Arrested, convicted and sent to jail
All part of the game to us
No more would family pay my bail
They said it was too much fuss

I met someone who said he prayed
Five times a day to God
I listened to him and I stayed
And gave the truth a nod

I learned about the original man
And how he came to be
I knew I had to have a plan
To save MY life for ME

I read all day and half the night
I finally overstood
On how I came to have this plight
And cause damage to my ‘hood

I had no knowledge of who I was
Deaf, dumb and blind to the light
I did what a fool always does
Said that everything wrong was right

I had lost myself to a deadly disease
Addiction had ruined my life
This monster inside I tried to please
All I got was trouble and strife


Total submission was the only way
To reconnect my soul
So I bowed my head everyday
To learn a different role

When I got out I went back home
Back to my mother’s door
No longer did I have to roam
From the west to the eastern shore

I let her know I was different now
She said, “I’ll have to see
I heard you say you’ve changed somehow
But you need to prove it to me”


Right then and there I knew she was right
I couldn’t just talk the talk
I had to muster all my might
And learn to walk the walk

So now I do one day at a time
Trust I had to earn
Nobody gave me one thin dime
Real life I had to learn

So I bumped my head and asked for the power
To do what I had to do
I worked my butt off every hour
To make what I said come true

I’ve been doing this now for 16 years
I’m blessed to live this way
Been able to conquer all my fears
And enjoy every single day


© 2004 swing first productions