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