Wreckered, 1969
“Pick Up (On What I’m Putting Down)”
People
Pick up on what I’m putting down
The house on the hill
Is sitting there still
People
Pick up on what I’m putting down
The man on the screen
Is starting to lean
People
Pick up on what I’m putting down
The face in the crowd
Is screaming too loud
People
Pick up on what I’m putting down
The red white and blue
Is coming for you
“If Anything Should Happen to Our Love”
Baby
When I come around to find you
I’m not sneaking up behind you
I’m looking straight into your eyes
Baby
When I come around to get you
I’m not trying to upset you
I’m working hard to realize
I need you
I need you more than ever now
I need your hand upon my brow
It feels right like a flight on the wings of a dove
If anything should happen to our love
“Wednesday Ain’t So Bad”
Waking to the cry of your alarm bell
Dragging your old body to the shower
Freezing in the freezing cold water
Work is starting in a half an hour
Closing both your eyes to let the dreams in
Beginning with the singing of a song
Someone said that Wednesday is the worst day
Someone’s always saying something wrong
Monday’s angry
Tuesday’s sad
But Wednesday ain’t so bad
Eating in a hurry hurts your stomach
Eating slowly works against the clock
The bus is too much fuss so you try walking
But there’s a pebble stuck inside your sock
Halfway there you stop under a treetop
Take you shoe and sock off, shake them out
You’re lighter than light, and brighter than bright
Don’t even cast a shadow of a doubt
Friday’s got
What Thursday had
But Wednesday ain’t so bad
Sitting in a chair beside the window
Watching children playing in the park
Remembering the days when you were younger
Watching as the sun drops into dark
Standing up and walking to the kitchen
Calling up your best friend on the phone
Asking if she’ll meet you for a movie
The evening is no time to be alone
Monday’s angry
Tuesday’s sad
But Wednesday ain’t so bad
“Mixing Board”
La-la-la-la-la
Who is singing?
Who is singing?
I’m beginning
To agree
Hm-hm-hm-hm-hm
Who is humming?
Who is humming?
I’m becoming
What I see
Take the left track
Take the right track
Turn the horns up
Play them both back
One, two, three
Four, five, six
I can see
Colors mix
Black and white
Is red and blue
The rainbow tells us
What to do
Green and yellow
Brown and gold
No one left out
In the cold
Who is singing?
Who is singing?
I’m beginning
To agree
“Staggering”
I ain’t your boy
I ain’t your slave
I won’t be digging
For your grave
But when you’re falling be sure to watch the sky
You’ll see me up there learning how to fly
Staggering oh staggering
Mack the knife is daggering
America is flaggering
I’m staggering
I ain’t your son
I ain’t your Tom
See me fragging
In Viet Nam
The street ain’t always wide enough for two
I’m crossing over to take good care of you
Staggering oh staggering
The family dog is waggering
The Rolling Stones are jaggering
I’m staggering
“Get Up And See It”
Get up and see it
And then you can be it
Get up and make it
And then you can take it
Get up and know it
And then you can show it
Get up, get up, get up
Wreckered
Player
Round and round
Looking up
Is never down
What you lost
Is what I found
I find
Revolution
In the mind
Wreckered
Player
Spinning fast
Get there first
You’ll never last
Those who follow
Go right past
I pass
Revolution
Of the mass
Revolution
Revolution
Going round in circles
Is a perfect solution
Can you make
Your contribution?
Spin
The bag you’re in
Wreckered
Player
How it grows
Stretching out
Inside my nose
Come out smelling
Like a rose
I rise
Revolution
In my eyes
“Eyes of a Child”
New day is dawning on new eyes
A child’s eyes
A child’s eyes
They see everything they need to
They see everything that’s real
They see good and they see bad
They see exactly what you feel
Sunlight is coming from above
A child’s eyes
A child’s eyes
To a child the world is wondrous
To a child the world is grand
A child can take a single pebble
And hold it in his hand
You can try to be a child
You can try to turn back time
You can go back to the beginning
And still be in your prime
How can you find your way back home?
A child’s eyes
A child’s eyes
They say that a child will lead them
They say that a child will know
If a child can be your guide
You’ll know exactly where to go
See the world through a child’s eyes
See the world through a child’s eyes
Open up to the surprise
Open up to the surprise
“Stop the Sun From Coming Through”
Heavy rain
And heavy pain
What’s it really worth
Flat black shoes
Are making news
On the surface of the earth.
Stalling, stalling, stumbling, falling
Life will do what life will do
But it can’t stop the sun from coming through
“Kicking the Can”
Say you can
And you can be sure you will
Say you can’t
And you’ll never get up that hill
Say you can
And you can in your own way
Negativity
Sure isn’t here to stay
Don’t choose the fire
Or the frying pan
They say you can’t
But can’t is just kicking the can
Pitch, 1971
“Back”
It’s true
What follows depends on what is leading
It’s you
Holding up the gun while I am bleeding
Don’t go too fast or the things you have won’t last too long
It’s sad
To see what they want you to see
It’s bad
To be what they want you to be
Don’t think you won
Or they’ll remember they ain’t done
Hey Hey
Come on back
Hey Hey
Don’t forget you’re running on their track
“Lot”
How much in silver and in gold
For that there darkie in the hold?
What you got?
Got a lot
He big, he strong, he live, he stock
We got him on the auction block
What you got?
Got a lot
Got a lot
Got a lot
Run away
And he gets shot
You play the master and it’s true
He sure to take good care of you
What you got?
Got a lot
“Hold”
I got the world in my hands
I got the world in my hands
If I drop it
It’s all part of the master’s plan
I got the world in my hands
I got the world in my hands
Will it bounce?
It won’t take an ounce to get me free
I got the world in my hands
I got the world in my hands
Africa pressed against my palm
I got the world in my hands
I got the world in my hands
Fire burns but it learns to die in time
“Up”
Up
Sometimes I’m rising
In my mind
But how far up
Is surprising
The mountain
It’s tall
It goes Up before me
And a fountain’s just a waterfall when it begins to bore me
Up
The aeroplane has wings but not a feather
Up in the clouds they’ll tell you it’s just weather
Up is a deception
Even though they promise that it’s the right direction
I tell you Up
Has a nasty smile
Oh, man
High time is gonna take a while
Up insists on
Hoping
But to me it’s joking
Up
“Lost”
You’re getting on a ship
You’re trying to make a trip
Sailing off to sea
You cross the ocean blue
You know just what to do
The color makes you free
Free and clear
Free and clear
With no one round to hear
You’re spotting some dry land
You’re landing on the sand
Claim the ground for home
You’re planting your white flag
You’re filling your white bag
White man founded Rome
Free and clear
Free and clear
With no one round to hear
“Cause”
They resist
With a raised fist
I’m great
Bent or straight
Don’t argue with the absentee rate
They defy
With a hot eye
I’m alive
Shuck or jive
The article is in the archive
They oppose
When the wind blows
I’m on guard
Striped and starred
The flag bearer is dressed in plainclothes
They raise heck
With a stacked deck
Deal me in
Lose or win
The cards are red; the roulette’s Russian
Angela Davis — don’t do me any favors
George Jackson — watch your back, son
Dark stars
Dark stars
Stokely Carmichael — just part of the cycle
Bobby Seale — just part of the deal
Dark stars
Dark stars
The soul’s on a roll, that’s a natural fact
I’m putting on whitey by putting on black
She went in her head though I said it’s a trap
Stay in here, babe — put your ear on my rap
Bottles in the streets of San Francisco
Models shaking sweet down at the disco
At the height of the hustle I’m tight with the tussle
Don’t try to shuck me with the mafia shuffle
Some grow wheat, some grow corn
I grew bigger since the day I was born
Some grow bright, some grow dim
If you’re looking for a nigger, baby, I ain’t him
The soul’s on a roll, that’s a natural fact
I’m putting on whitey by putting on black
She went in her head though I said it’s a trap
Stay in here, babe — put your ear on my rap
O massa massa how much further to Kinshasa?
O boss boss who put the hit on Betsy Ross?
I may not feel better but I feel fine
Can you tell me whose name is on the sign?
She went cougha cougha and the wheels came offa
She went helter skelter in the Mekong Delta
I went whacka whacka and the ax broke her backa
Get out the blade and see what you made
Shirley Chisholm — Heal the schism
Eldridge Cleaver — Don’t believe her
Critics, cameras, reporters
The knife comes at closer quarters.
Dark stars
Dark stars
“Brown”
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy
One good stick can take an eye
Doctor, lawyer, injun chief
I just can’t get no relief
What we once believed
We’d leave behind
We burn
There’s no contradiction
Just conviction overturned
When they came around
To take our names
We lied
Identity is hidden
It’s forbidden to confide
“Pitch”
I asked my mother
I asked my friends
On what exactly
Their happiness depends
We all need a place in the sun
We all need a place in the sun
White or black, dog or cat
Republican or Democrat
Just keep it in style
Make the music worthwhile
We all need a place in the sun
Just keep it in mind
Remember to find
A place for yourself in the sun
Honk the horns!
“Black”
O Holy Moses
Why you striking poses
Like the Joker in the pack?
Fade to black
Great balls of fire
Is the funeral pyre
Making ashes for the sack?
Fade to black
What you getting when they giving
Isn’t fair
How you living, how they living
I declare
Good god almighty
What’s wrong with whitey
Is he set for the attack?
Fade to black
Revolution, 1973
“Rays”
You know my baby, she won’t let me in
I’m gonna wreck myself on a bottle of gin.
You know I try, baby, try all day long
I got nothing to show for it is except for this song
The days are the nights
The nights are the days
I’m working so hard, baby
I need a raise
You know I once lived on the north side of town
Now I rent me a room when she comes around
You know I sleep at the top of the stairs
My head may be covered but my feet are bare
The days are the nights
The nights are the days
I’m working so hard, baby
I need a raise
You know my baby, she won’t love me right
I’m gonna drink till I feel good and tight
You know I’ll live till the end of my days
That lucky old sun ain’t got nothing but rays.
Hey
Hey
What’d I say?
“Radiant!”
Poison
America’s a cage to keep the boys in
Famine
To steal a meal you need a hole to put a gram in
Fire
Four hundred degrees to freeze, then I’ll retire
Flood
Something grim is always swimming in the blood
Rattle Rattle in the dice cup
Saddle saddle — ooh say it twice — up
Someday I’ll ride on out for good
Just like I said I would
Until then I’ll keep waiting
Radiant!
Diamond
They tell you that it’s harder than good timing
Platinum
Who’s the one who’s going up and at ‘em?
Dollar
When one hand moves the other’s sure to follow
Clock
Tick tock baby tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock
Rattle Rattle in the dice cup
Saddle saddle — ooh say it twice — up
Someday I’ll ride on out for good
Just like I said I would
Until then I’ll keep waiting
Radiant!
“Pop Pop”
Too much rushing turns the day into a nightmare
Pop pop — It ain’t fair
Ghosts are mostly trouble when they double dare
I score, they scare
A red morning is a warning still in bed
Pop pop — Filled up with lead
I got eyes but I can’t see what’s in my head
Pop pop
Before I wake I’m sure to take my daily dosing
Pop pop — Peace to the pill
My second cousin brought a dozen, now I’m grossing
Pop pop — Follow the bill
And my old lady gets the gravy from assistance
Pop pop — She don’t keep her distance
The power of the hour comes from pistons
Pop pop — What you keep your list in?
Moved along, I’m getting strong, or is that faster
Pop pop — Blown down
There’s nothing sadder than the brink of a disaster
Hey mister, remaster
Everything I do that’s new is notes and tones
Pop pop — Left all alone
Am I trancing or just dancing on those stones?
Dem bones
Know it, know it, freedoms are on a plate
Eat ‘em and gain the weight
Silver ain’t everything
Bring me that diamond ring
I wonder if I’m living in denial
Pop pop — fingerprint file
If you squint you’ll see the print that makes you smile
Pop Pop
Well when you climb the crime is at an altitude
Pop pop
And they frisk you at the risk of being rude
Pop Pop
Hey, playing is just a game
Pop pop — I lost my name
Swallow — go down the hole
Follow — I’m on a roll
Pop Pop — The situation
Stops short of my salvation
Swallow — go down the hole
Follow — I’m on a roll
“I Want You To Know”
I go walking all alone
No radio no telephone
Tryin’ to get my head on straight
To tell the truth ‘fore it’s too late
I want you to know
I want you to know
I want you to know
I ain’t going anywhere
I go sailing off to sea
The water makes me feel free
Boat is rocking feeling swell
I have something I must tell
I want you to know
I want you to know
I want you to know
I ain’t going anywhere
I go flying into space
Leave behind the human race
It’s quiet in between the stars
I’ll call you when I get to Mars
I want you to know
I want you to know
I want you to know
I ain’t going anywhere
“Any Way But This Way”
I can’t bear to hear
The things that you say
Any way you want it, baby
Any way…but this way
The bottom of night
Is the top of the day
Any way you want it, baby
Any way…but this way
We both black and white
But neither is gray
Any way you want it, baby
Any way…but this way
The rules of the game
The game that we play
Any way you want it, baby
Any way…but this way
You got it, you know
You’re making it stay
Any way you want it, baby
Any way…but this way
“Over the Rainbow”
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
Away above the chimney tops,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow, Why then–oh, why can’t I?
“Got to Walk the Walk”
Got to walk the walk (6x)
Put some pep
In your step
Got to walk the walk
Put some dip
In your hip
Got to walk the walk
Cazzie Russell tries to hustle
Willis Reed has what you need
I spent the last year taking it
This year I think I’ll spit the bit
Walking the walk
Put some glide
In your stride
Got to walk the walk
Put some roll
In your stroll
Got to walk the walk
Let your toes
Stike a pose
Send your shoes
On a cruise
Walk the walk
Oh, walk the walk
“Gravity”
Standing up high, top of a wall,
Feel my feel slipping, feel like I might fall
Can’t lift my head up, so I stare at the ground
See my soul tumbling, tumbling down
Oh will it break or will it splash
Forty-odd pieces or the fifty-yard dash?
Sixty seconds till impact
Does it have a minute
In it?
I took a rocket to the top of the moon
With a watch in my pocket and a silvery spoon
I took a look at mother earth, yeah, didn’t want to play no games
I couldn’t jump down there, so I threw down both my names
Oh will they break or will they splash
Forty-odd pieces or the fifty-yard dash?
Sixty seconds till impact
Does it have a minute
In it?
Where is your head, oh, who’s got the glow?
Who knows the answer, oh, who wants to know?
Put it in a bottle, oh, put it in a can,
Put it on a bridge with your attention span.
Oh will it break or will it splash
Forty-odd pieces or the fifty-yard dash?
Sixty seconds till impact
Does it have a minute
In it?
Red rubber ball, yeah, black rubber mask
Lavender Cadillac drives off the track
They colored it orange, they colored it black
They called it a tiger—Can you believe that?
“Please Step Back” single
Never released
The world is
Pushing up on me
Yes it’s pushing up on me
I wish the pull
Would have its full
Effect
Lord save my neck
The world is
Going into hock
Yes it’s going into hock
I wish the ounce
Would take a bounce
Up high
Lord tell me why
Please step
Please step back
Jill on the hill
Is still killing Jack
She broke his crown
She put him down
She beat his white eye black
Oh, please step back
The world is
Spinning on its heel
Yes it’s spinning on its heel
I wish the poles
Would play their roles
And freeze
Lord help me please