POEM (Big Rube) Mankind... destined for greatness, achieved through tempering of the mind, body and spirit. Doomed to failure, as long as our indifferences overshadow the strength of our common bonds. Yet disease, war and poverty have become so common, many of us can barely be bothered to be indifferent. But know that all people on this earth are connected, each soul a glimmering light in a universe filled with darkness. It’s said that we were born to hold dominion over all that we survey, through intelligence, wisdom and benevolence. But up until now we’ve become the epitome of the term “Epic Fail”. We’ve taken the greatest gift ever known... Thought. And transformed paradise into a septic hell. Our Acid Reign has poisoned our food and water... even our air. We teach the children the same madness, so we’ve poisoned our heir. Both physically and mentally, we cripple what was meant to have limitless potential. Because without wisdom, knowledge doesn’t see what’s essential... Yet it’s not too late.

VERSE 1 It’s a hard knock life... bite you once, it’s gon’ bite you twice. But mentally the release is nice... Write down all my thoughts while the beats suffice. For one time, I ain’t gotta search for words, or strain my brain, bending up my mind like curbs. I get lost in the music and never come back. From the pain to the brain, to the pen, to the track... Looking back, wondering why I did that... and this and this here... but this and that’s passed to the past. Ridin’ with my folk up in the Lac, got the coke up in the stash and a pistol on the dash about to crash. Swervin’ while the pigs roll past, about plastered, cotton mouth from the grass. Sittin’ high like a birdie on a wire from the cradle to the gutter to the grave to the fire... On fire. I’m lost in my circumstance. I’ve forgot how to feel... Sometimes I wish that I could just disappear. HOOK I’m stuck in this hell, I don’t know where to go. Life is a pain that I don’t want to know. My mind is my cell and I ain’t seeing parole. Sometimes I wish I was invisible. Wish... wish... I was invisible. VERSE 2 We’re like fiends, chasing a pipe down pipe dreams. Justifying the end to keep means, when it’s the means that’s poison to your dreams. But we ain’t trying to hear that though, put the poison to your lips breathe nice and slow... Until we’re burned out, turned to powder, then a couple years later ain’t no coming up out of it. But I’m sick of living for what’s gonna kill me. I’d rather have the whole world love me than fear me. I keep it 100 even if you don’t hear me. I came to speak truth, I ain’t in it for the penny. Hated by many... fuel for the fire. I keep my eyes high like a birdie on a wire... You wanna navigate the path to life falling apart? From the eyes to the to the mind, to the hands, to the heart, to the dark... I’m lost in my circumstance. I’ve forgot how to feel... Sometimes I wish that I could just disappear. HOOK

HOOK One drink and I slip into party mode. Two drinks and I’m ready for two more. Four drinks and I’m ready to let it go tonight... It’s the last before the last one. Five drinks and I ain’t trying to leave the club. Six drinks and I’m ready to fall in love. Seven drinks, I ain’t even had enough tonight... But this last one’s the last one. BRIDGE It’s the next temptation. It’s the last before the last one. The next temptation. I ain’t gonna lie, I love the feeling... catch a buzz, put my hands up at the ceiling, and dance shawty dance, dance shawty dance, dance shawty dance! HOOK VERSE 1 Everything’s like a dream, about to let loose like a high school teen. Bust up out the crib straight smellin’ like green, lookin’ like a star, so fresh so clean. I‘m talkin’ about cologne Armani, clothes Armani... I step up in the club and the gurls all on me. I’m running through the VIP deep like the army, like trash this club! I’ll bring my own party. I’m ready to rip it up at the door, get a couple drinks then hit the dance floor. It only takes one just to put me in the mode, then how many more? Don’t nobody know... So Rock! I’m unstoppable, swag like this ain’t possible. HOOK

HOOK I’ve never seen life as nothing but a ball and chain. I’m stuck up in my silence, sleeping in the pouring rain. I’ve never seen life as nothing but a stage for pain. Cuz once you give and life never gives back, even the hardest of men’s hearts fade to black... Once they dance with life. VERSE 1 The mind is such a battlefield, sometimes I wonder if it’s even real. How could anybody suffer like this? Inside I’ve been dead for so long, broken down, praying to keep me holding on. But knowing it’ll never change. But I can’t even cry anymore when the fire is blowing around my eyes, and I learn how to fly in the moment the pain is mowing through my mind. Like I’ve never seen life... HOOK VERSE 2 I done been through hell on the back of a child’s eye, and I done seen enough bloodshed to last a lifetime. Call me crazy but there’s some things in life I’d die to not remember, the past is no pretender it’s colder than the winter and lingers like December. Cuz who would cry if I died tonight? Ain’t nobody crying tonight. It’s just me against the world as I dance with life. HOOK VERSE 3 Looking back on life this calloused heart just fades to black, and I can’t but wonder how I got this far my mind intact. Cuz every breath I breathe is life just falling through the cracks, I’ve been given so many memories that I wish I could give back. But giving back is more than pretending you’re gonna right your wrongs. Pour your heart out on paper, write it down in a couple songs... Then go right back to steady chasing down this life of sin. OK, I admit it, I deserve this hell I’m in. I made my bed and now I’m sleeping in the pouring rain. The wages of sin is death and death is the bride of pain. And pain’s the reason I hate breathing, screaming “Jesus Christ!” But it’s this life that’s got me wishing I had never seen life. HOOK

VERSE 1 My dear friends, Romans, countrymen. Let me get your eardrums and the mind’s inside the head they’re in. Everything in life moves in cycles like the passing seasons, so there’s never nothing new under the God made sun just for that very reason. So take that word, cuz what you heard is worth a thousand words. You can put it in your mind’s back door then blow that dro slow, let it churn. Like the world can’t crash and burn... Like it’s never gonna be our turn... Talkin’ about giving a whole new meaning to the old school phrase “You live, you learn”. Cuz we keep living like we’re in control. Like it’s a given that it can’t explode... Heads high like the day before the fall of Rome. HOOK Empires rise. Empires fall. There’s division inside of these walls. I’m dressed for the ball and I’m ready for the fall of Rome. Cuz kings thrive and kings die. Ain’t no escaping the circle of life, I’m praying for the best but I’m waiting for the fall of Rome. VERSE 2 Open up your brain homez, this shit’s no mystery... Man stays so obsessed to progress, always thinking he’s above his history. Like a fly in the worldwide web, spoon-fed by our technology... keep it real cuz, you don’t even know nobody that could make it in the 19th century. So what happens when circuit breaks and worlds collide with lightening forces? We gotta go back to riding horses and trade in cash for natural resources... No GPS, you gotta look to the stars, but you don’t even know where the north stars are... Looking back on the fact we done got so far, keeps reminding me we could never find our start. Cuz we’re so stubborn, thinking we’re in control, like a government ain’t fallen before... Heads high like the day before the fall of Rome. HOOK VERSE 3 Like a walk along wire in a royal stance, just a foot behind a vagabond that wants to dance... you know you’re both going down in the end. Like a bullet down the barrel of tomorrow’s gun, history shows there’s nothing new under the setting sun. Sooner or later it’s gonna go down again. But we’re so happy thinking we’re in control, like the world that we know ain’t never gon’ fold... Heads high like the day before the fall of Rome. HOOK

HOOK She’s got the body of an angel, but she moves it like the devil in disguise, I can see it in her eyes. Nothing ahead of her but danger, behind her dead men lie... But the legs of the Devil in the front of a Chevy got me hypnotized. VERSE 1 I’m walking down a dirt road with nowhere in the world to go, just letting my feet carry me wherever the wind may blow. Got a guitar over my shoulder, a pistol in my holster. I’m just an outlaw running. Running for wanting something but I still got nothing now. Then through the grain of the desert dust I see the gleam of a pickup truck, heading straight in my direction like a bullet down the barrel of a 357 now. This señorita in the front seat stops dead right in front of me, then she rolls down the window and says “Jump in cuz I’m going where the wind blows.” HOOK VERSE 2 We pull up in the barrio, gunshots ring in stereo, and as I glance in the rear view a gang of thieves step out of the shadows into clear view. Then through the rays of the setting sun I drag my fingers to a loaded gun, and as I kick open the Chevy door I grab the Devil by the hand and let the .45 blow. We make a run down the nearest street while bullets barrel through the desert breeze... Shots ricocheting at my feet, everything about this woman goes against my instincts. But one shot not missing me is the Devil as she kisses me. She says, “I live for the action”... I’m caught up with the Devil in a fatal attraction. HOOK VERSE 3 We run up in a hotel, two doors down from hell and the Devil’s standing there, looking about as fine as an angel. As she starts to caress me, slowly undress me... I turn around and now the Devil got the gun on me. With a bullet in the head she’s done and gone. One bullet in the head, she’d done and gone. Just a bullet in the head, she’s done and gone because the Devil brings death until she’s done and gone. With a bullet in the head I’m dead and gone. One bullet in the head and I’m dead and gone. A bullet in the head, I’m dead and gone because the Devil brings death until we’re dead and gone. HOOK

VERSE 1 Death crawls through the dark streets in silent flight, unsuspected while the world sleeps on an April night. Like an unseen enemy reaching out for the kill, once again writing history by our own free will. Like a virus in a dead land slowly eating away life, chasing the vision of a blind man in a world without sight. HOOK We’re sleeping in the dirt of Chernobyl still tonight. Forgotten where we’re from, lost in where we’ve come. We’re sleeping in the dirt of Chernobyl still tonight. Dying from inside, poisoned by our pride. VERSE 2 Create a monster we can never tame... the ambition of fallen man. Engineer your grandchild’s pain for castles in the sand. Become our own worst enemy while time stands still, once again repeating history by our own free will. What’s left is a ghost town, block homes like tombstones. The dead memory of a showdown that tomorrow won’t know. HOOK BRIDGE Looking down in the eyes of Heaven, it’s pride set on fire. If we could see it through the eyes of Heaven... just pride set on fire. HOOK

HOOK (Crucifix) My world is fall-n-apart, it’s got me wondering why is this life so hard? You can catch me in the club or in the bar like “Hey!” Trying to dance the pain away. VERSE 1 (Sean P) I done been through so much pain, went out there and bought me a chain... Went out there and made it rain but it still didn’t mean one mothafucking thang. But the times I felt my best, I was high, I was drunk like “Yes!” I was gone in the zone all alone on the dance floor by my gotdamn self. Only I can feel my pain, only I can make this change. Music feeds my soul, the drums they beat my brain. These streets they know my name, these streets they know my voice. Gotta get my fam up out these streets, I have no other choice. BRIDGE (Crucifix) I’ma lose myself in the pain tonight. I’ma dance it away until the morning light. HOOK

HOOK I don’t want to live forever, I think I had enough the first time around. I can’t say that I don’t wonder what forever would be like, but I don’t want to live forever... if forever’s like life. VERSE 1 I’m walking in a dead society, the whole world’s swinging on a broken thread. And I can see it in the eyes of every man that walks by me... this ain’t the way they planned it, they’re trying so hard to understand it. Broken dreams and broken bones, a world of kings without a throne. I see a homeless man sleeping outside of a foreclosed home... just trying to understand it cuz this ain’t the way we planned it. HOOK VERSE 2 I’m walking with this debt inside of me, my whole world’s swinging on a broken thread. And I can see it in the mirror every time that I look inside me... this ain’t the way I planned it, I’m trying so hard to understand it. Broken dreams and broken homes, a daddy leaves his kids alone. I put them on the back burner for something I could never own. But why can’t I understand that, this ain’t the way God planned it. HOOK

HOOK (Crucifix) Pour that drink up in my cup and homeboy turn that music up, let’s sit back and enjoy this day like today’s the last. No I ain’t got too much money, but what I got you can’t take from me... I got family, faith and I still got me some breath to breathe. Boy life is good. VERSE 1 (Crucifix) Sometimes I just get caught up, quick to forgetting the way that I was brought up. Running around town pissed, fists balled up, remembering everything but what my mama taught us; “In a world so cold, pave your own path or walk a beat road. Try to get money but don’t let it be your goal, or gain the whole world and still lose your own soul.” I’d rather be poor and learn to love the way that feels than rob and steal to make my meals or pay my bills. God, I’m really trying to understand that the pain is just the frame to show the man that I am. And I’m gonna wake up in the morning knowing life gon’ be hard, but that’s another reason just to keep on talking to God. And it’s a bet, I’ll come out a little bit scarred, but I can wake up in the morning and know which side that I’m on. HOOK VERSE 2 (Bubba Sparxxx) In any event I’m plenty content. Of my sins I repent, then give me the rent, and try to give it my best then give Him the rest. I was losing with more... been winning with less. I need to reevaluate what more is, is it more bullshit? Or is it more really more about more closeness with the Big Man? Hey I'm a big fan, and I can withstand, I can endure... I can persevere because I'm ensured  by faith and that leaves no room for fear no more... Turn the music up! HOOK VERSE 3 (Skinny Deville) It could be better if I tried harder. My caddy's in the shop I guess I gotta ride the Marta. But I thank God I'm alive, that's what I do for starters. God will provide so I grind for my sons and daughter. My house is under water swimming in a sea of debt, but my faith is strong and Lord knows I need some help. But every cloud has a silver lining so don't forget, what goes down must come up now to catch a breath. (Big V) Mama keeps praying, the world don't stop spinnin'... What makes a loser lose?  What makes a winner win? Win or lose, learn young or forever be a damn fool. Fail and quit, that's what the weak do. I'm a fighter y'all, morning, noon and night. Tito Ortiz, Mike Tyson, Kimbo Slice... Life gives me lemons, I'm gon' make pie, then I can use the peeling to make the stars rise! (Fish Scales) Milledgeville bound... I love a small town you ain't gotta have money, they're just glad you're around. I could've been a lot of places but I'm out here free. The best things in life come without no fee. The few people that ain't here truly will be missed, pour a shot to the ground before I take my sip. It's been a long road, a lot of hardship. But I'm glad for the ride so regardless... Life Is Good! HOOK

VERSE 1 Footsteps in the dust of a wasteland trailing back to a prison I’d rather leave a memory... a thought of yesterday. Then raindrops like bullets in a black sky start falling, slowly breaking away the mess I’ve made. Wash away my yesterday. HOOK I can feel this rain down the back of my body, falling hard, every drop is just like a brick that’s breaking me. Washing away my yesterday. As the water gets high I can see it in the black sky, it’s gonna take a flood to wash away the mess I’ve made. But if that’s what it’s gotta take... then Lord bring the rain. VERSE 2 I can’t tell between the rain and my teardrops, drowning me slow until I finally let it go. Let the water take my soul. Then suddenly I’m on my knees realizing, if drowning means I’m breathing for the very first time, I welcome the pain... I’m begging for the rain! HOOK

VERSE 1 (Crucifix) I done been through hell and I felt the pain. I done seen the whole world go through a whole lot of change. I seen a mama watch her baby die, just for gettin' high... Then twenty minutes later, go get high. I seen killers get justified, and all the while, scratchin' my head, wonderin' how is it right? I seen some real good people die in the crossfire, of some men afraid of losin' their pride. It's pain in the burbs... and pain in the streets. It's a war on the church... and war in the east. So listen... half of us thirst, while half of us feast. Steady chasin' this Hollywood peace. HOOK (Crucifix) I seen so many cry, I seen so many die over nothin' at all. Giving their life up for something so small. I seen so many tears over so many years we can never get back... This ain't life if we're livin' in a past that's Sidewayz. VERSE 2 (Sean P) I lost my patna Reece, and ever since that day life's been crazy man, I really ain't had too much to say. Sometimes I want revenge, but that's the Devil's way of actin' out, so I just get down on my knees and pray. I ask Him lead the way, but if it gets no better, just know I tried... consider this my last letter. To my fans, to my friends, to my family. When I leave this earth, I hope ya'll all remember me. RIP shawty Quint. Rest in peace Preacha Man. I'm gon' hold it down, but swear to God I miss you man. RIP Yoowah, we miss you Franco. Freaky Tee, he took it hard... I feel his pain though. HOOK VERSE 3 (Crucifix) There's got to be hope in my future, cuz there's pain in my past. But I always been a believer, that the sufferin' can't last. Cuz the rain comes down... the flood gets high. But sooner or later something is gon' have to shine. If we stop walkin' Sidewayz. This life gon' fade like the wind blows, but homie I know where I'm about to go... Down that golden highway! Leavin' behind this pain that I've seen! HOOK

HOOK You can break these bonez but what I believe in... is a world I’d die to see. You can break these bonez but what I am seeing... is a world I can’t believe. VERSE 1 I’m losing my way... tomorrow’s today. I breathe with this broken heart, just trying to chase a life that just slips away. I’m losing my passion, one day at a time, trying to understand this world that I’m seeing as it falls between the lines. HOOK VERSE 2 You can see it in my eyes I’m halfway gone, trying to navigate through a world of lies. And everybody’s trying to figure out which planet I’m on, somewhere stuck in between myself and the city sky. If I can’t get these memories out of my head, why not hold them to the flame then just sit back, go on and get high. Cuz the truth is, I never came down... It’s a hard life and all that I’ve found is there’s gotta be a little bit of sunshine after the pouring rain. HOOK

VERSE 1 You can see it in the eyes of a dying man... It’s like there’s something there he can’t comprehend. Call it fear or uncertainty, there’s always this lingering question about eternity. Can’t help but think about... where am I going when it’s said and done? Or is there anything after life under the sun? So I slip away in my thoughts, I think about my rights and my wrongs and I realize this life is just a breath. Cuz time is shorter than I know but somewhere deep inside I just can’t wait to go... HOOK I’ll lift this veil from my eyes and I’ll fly away... I’ve waited all of my life for this day. When I step my dirty feet through the pearly gates, and I finally see my best Friend face to face... I’m in Heaven. VERSE 2 I start walking down the streets of gold, in a moment surrounded by everyone I’ve ever known... I can’t help but notice there’s a perfect smile on every face, shouts of joy that call my name... overwhelmed by a peace that I can’t describe. So I slip away in my thoughts, I think about the world that I lost and I realize the world that lays ahead... There’s no more crying, no more pain, no more death or suffering cuz all my sin and all my shame has finally passed away.

HOOK I don’t want to live forever, I think I had enough the first time around. I can’t say that I don’t wonder what forever would be like, but I don’t want to live forever... if forever’s like life. VERSE 1 I’m walking in a dead society, the whole world’s swinging on a broken thread. And I can see it in the eyes of every man that walks by me... this ain’t the way they planned it, they’re trying so hard to understand it. Broken dreams and broken bones, a world of kings without a throne. I see a homeless man sleeping outside of a foreclosed home... just trying to understand it cuz this ain’t the way we planned it. HOOK VERSE 2 I’m walking with this debt inside of me, my whole world’s swinging on a broken thread. And I can see it in the mirror every time that I look inside me... this ain’t the way I planned it, I’m trying so hard to understand it. Broken dreams and broken homes, a daddy leaves his kids alone. I put them on the back burner for something I could never own. But why can’t I understand that, this ain’t the way God planned it. HOOK