Smackdowns and Gratitude

And the songs keep coming... I just keep on digging through my old notepads, and they're still there, patiently waiting their turn.

Third Grade Smackdown

Now let me take you back, take you back to third grade

When life was chilly chill like some ice in the shade

Under the tree of life where the children play

And where I learned the lessons that are helping me today

So I, I’m easy swingin’ on the swing-set, see?

When this snotty-faced kid named Josh runs up to me

And says, “Come on Dillon, me and you gone fight!”

Not exactly in dem words but he followed with strong right

Hook to the eye, I hit the ground, didn’t cry

But wondered why he’d wanna beat up such a likeable guy

I shuffled home and my dad was like “What happened to you?”

“I fell out of a tree, dad, cuz dat’s what I do”

You gotta grow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so small

You gotta growowow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so cold.

The next day we sittin’ round playin’ cards goin’ fishin’

When I catch three dudes in my peripheral vision

Decisions decisions, should I stay or should I run?

Should I stand up for everyone’s rights to have fun?

I was still thinkin’ like Lincoln when they caught me

And made my other eye blacker than I like my coffee

Daddy wasn’t buying my story the second time

So we conversed mono y mono and I laid it on the line

My pops was cool like the other side of my feather pillow

Big and strong, very mellow, but never yellow

Now, he looked me square in my dotted eyes and spoke,

“Stand up for yourself, be strong and don’t choke!

Go for broke, with my permission hit the guy in the jaw.

Kill or be killed, that’s the playground law.”

You gotta grow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so small

You gotta growowow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so cold.

Day three, easy breezy confident was me,

as I blessed the pavement with my brand new sneaks

looking for trouble cuz I knew that I’d get off scot-free

because my daddy had my back, brah, know what I mean?

Anyways, first break came and went like the Flock of Seagulls

My senses dulled and I settled into the lull… of class

Some reading-riting-rithmatic at last

The second bell, round 1, let’s get on with it

It didn’t take me long to catch Josh in my snare

As I was winning lunch money flipping quarters on the stairs

Here he comes with enough snot to fill a sippy cup

It was running from his nose like a scared lost pup

The background blurred, the noise dissipated

As I cocked my arm back to attack what I hated

Everything was gone but his face it hung

Motionless in front of me, and then I swung.

His jaw shot sideways and his face soon followed

And then he started screaming like there wasn’t a tomorrow

He ran and told a teacher while my friends all cheered

I got a paddling but my conscious was clear

You gotta grow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so small

You gotta growowow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so cold.

So I hope you learned you learned something bout dem grade school tactics

When you talk to your kids be cool and not erratic

If you don’t stand up, you’ll live your life on your knees

While the Josh’s run wild and they do what they please

Be straight up about the playground law

To put a bully in his place, unhinge his jaw

And learn to stand up, proud and tall

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so small

You gotta grow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so small

You gotta growowow… Up.

To face a big buncha bullies in a world so cold. 2X

Gratitude

I met a man today, so frail and weak

His lips were crusted, he could barely speak

I gave my soft drink, with a little bit left

And his eyes welled up, as he drew a breath

A chorus of angels, flew out of his mouth

And a great wave of wisdom, came cascading down

A golden reminder of all the do’s and the don’ts

He said the more that you listen, the less that you won’t

So I’m listening, for the angels, and I’m, watching the signs

It’s all about remembrance, in these trying times

It’s pointless to dwell on, all the things that we’ve lost

Because gratitude, for what we have, makes up the cost

Gratitude for what we have makes up the cost

I walked a hard road, got rocks in my feet

Just barely getting by, and accepting defeat

It wasn’t til I noticed, the big flashing sign

It said get on with livin’, stop wasting your time

Now I feel a bit lighter, cuz I know I’ve been blessed

With a certain understanding, and some air in my chest

And everything around me, can bend towards my soul

If I hold it dear to my heart, as a fool and his gold.

So I’m holding on, for the angels, and I’m, watching the signs

It’s all about remembrance, in these trying times

It’s pointless to dwell on, all the things that we’ve lost

Because gratitude, for what we have, makes up the cost

Gratitude for what we have makes up the cost

I hear there’s some angels, that’re hand-picked by heaven

They number one thousand, one hundred and eleven

Their mission is guidance, but they’ve been known to play tricks

They’re some fun loving allies, out there getting their kicks

Gotta cut through the mischief, and realize the truth

We’re one big ole person, not a bunch of me’s and you’s.

That old man on the sidewalk, might as well have been me

And I say, the more you go lookin’, the less you won’t see

And I’m lookin’, for the angels, and I’m, watching the signs

It’s all about remembrance, in these trying times

It’s pointless to dwell on, all the things that we’ve lost

Because gratitude, for what we have, makes up the cost

Gratitude for what we have makes up the cost

Bums, Carrot Trees, and Beer

Here's three more songs from the vault. As I'm compiling these old songs, I'm really starting to feel like I should be recording them... All in good time. I guess that's a good goal to have... Recording all of these before I die and shooting them into outer space to be found later...

I’m Yo Bum, Baby!

Chords: E, A7, B7

I got alcohol, flowin’ through my veins like cholesterol.

Scratching on my balls through my piss stained overalls.

Holding up my sign, getting visions of a cheeseburger, baby, I want cha

Cuz I ain’t had none, in a while

My crooked smile’s all I gotta give away

cuz the man’s been fucking my plans up since the first day.

But every time I see you, I give you my soul,

while you’re digging out change from your middle console..

I’m your bum, baby. I’m begging for your love.

I’m sleeping under bridges and I’m shakin’ my cup.

And maybe one day when I run into some luck

then I’ll be handin’ out the change to some unfortunate fuck...

Every day I’m watching you when you pull up to the light,

but sometimes I’m too damn drunk to even stand up right.

I wish I knew your name, cause on my sign I’d write it

as I mime to the people that I’m hungry on the highway.

Hungry for your kisses, and itching for your hugs,

but it might just be that fungus, that feels like crawling bugs.

So I’m a crawl my ass back up on the curb and take a swig,

then go behind the dumpster think of you and jerk my twig..

I’m your bum, baby. I’m begging for your love.

I’m sleeping under bridges and I’m shakin’ my cup.

And maybe one day when I run into some luck

then I’ll be handin’ out the change to some unfortunate fuck...

So gimme all your pennies and look in my eyes

and see the sorrow and the years of tears that I cried.

I just lied. Lied to you to the whole time.

The brand new Benz around the corner is mine.

I make about five hundred dollars a day,

just waiting on you silly mothafuckas to pay me

So how ya like me now babe. I’ll make your day,

now that I’m rich from all the money you’ve been giving away.

And I’ll gladly give it back if you do one thing.

It’s been a long coming if ya know what I mean…

I’m your bum babe and I’m a begging you please.

You got me drinking everyday because I know you’ll never need me.

But maybe one day, if I live that long,

then you’ll see that in my arms is where you’ve always belonged.

Yeah, I’m your bum baby. I’m begging for your love.

I’m sleeping under bridges and I’m shaking my cup.

Cause maybe one day if I run into some luck

then I’ll be handing out the change to some unfortunate fuck. What!

The Carrot Tree

Today, I’m walking like a king, the church bell sings, halleluiah...

And my brain doesn’t feel too heavy in my head…

And my heart feels kinda like a jingling thing, 

like change in the pocket of a gypsy king. 

And I really hope I feel this good again.

Singing la la laaaa... 
Singing oh yeah yeaaah...

Singing nah nah na nah na nah nah nah nah boo boo... 2X

And your face it dangles it front of me, 

you’re a flying bunny rabbit in a carrot tree, 

and I live for you to visit me in the sun.

And the same three chords are running through my head, 

as I place my monkey slippers down by my bed. 

The world is my oyster, and you’re my little pearl.

Singing la la laaaa... 
Singing oh yeah yeaaah... 

Singing nah nah na nah na nah nah nah nah boo boo... 2 X

As days fly by I remember you, 

with your shiny little smile and your cute hairdo, 

while you made my eggs all smiley faced in the morning. 

Sparkling diamonds, sunset lake, 

I belly flop into my bed to wake up, 

happy still to say you were by my side.

Singing la la laaaa... 
Singing oh yeah yeaaah... 

Singing nah nah na nah na nah nah nah nah boo boo... 2 X

As soon as the doctors let me out of here, 

Girl, imma track you down cuz my mind is clear. 

I'll just stash these pills and break free from this bed.

And today I’m walking like a king, the church bell sings, halleluiah...

And my brain doesn’t feel, to heavy in myyyy….. head.

Two Beers

It’s a, lazy Sunday, two beers to my name, so I’m sipping, enjoying them slowly

Gotta find enough dough before Monday, to pay the man, to come and turn my lights back on

Got extension cords hangin’ out the windows,

stretchin’ to the neighbors, laundry room down below

The radio and fridge are plugged in,

not that I have any food to protect within

Just some condiments and some pickled okra,

and two beers but I’m drinking them right now, brah.

Lazy Sunday, two beers to my name, so I’m sipping, enjoying them slowly

Gotta find enough dough before Monday, to pay the man, to come and turn my lights back on

I had to write a bad check to get a job done,

but I know it won’t hit until Tuesday

I headed out last night to have a ton of fun,

and drank up my last little bit of change

I feel like I might be losing my touch,

tomorrow’s coming for me, and I’m a running from it

I expect now, not to expect too much,

I’m down to one beer now and I’m loving on it.

Lazy Sunday, two beers to my name, so I’m sipping, enjoying them slowly

Gotta find enough dough before Monday, to pay the man, to come and turn my lights back on

Generally speaking, I always get what I need

and never ever get what I deserve

Until I figure out exactly what that is,

I’ll perpetually be pumpin’ at the self-serve

You gotta dollar come and place it in my ball cap

Unwind, allow your mind to let your hands clap

Hook me up and drop some cash before you go home

Cuz I’m outta beer and it’s time to get my lights turned on

Lazy Sunday, two beers to my name, so I’m sipping, enjoying them slowly

Gotta find enough dough before Monday, to pay the man, to come and turn my lights back on 2X