Behind these bars in Raiford
Is not where I want to be
Going through this with most of my friends
While missing my family

Ask anyone, from day one
I've had a problem with the law
I struggle in the direction of
Trying to follow along

More years here I've found than I care to count
These notches on the wall, interwoven
Leaving little doubt that it spells out
A hard life passed down unspoken

I've about given up pleading I'm innocent
Placing on others the blame
Like everyone in this joint I've met
Saying pretty much the same

Dealing with my dealings in Raiford
With the taking of another man's life
My one-way ticket to this losing attitude
Until the day I die

let's see how high
i can count
before i decide
to turn my life around

if i don't change
the things i do
there won't be a thing
to do things to

i really need
to shine a light
on all i have
that resides inside

that keeps me here
right where i sit
preventing me
from getting ahead

not privy to
what's going on
to tell the truth
not sure i want

to hear how i
can bring about
the needed change
to get me out

of this hole
of self-defeat
i'm digging deep
in misery

which brings me back
to just how high
can i count
before i find

i need to turn
it all around
this life i have
of up-side down

We are the people
They warned us about
Taking to extreme excess
All that we’re allowed

So easily bored with
What they toss our way
Looking for the next big thing
In our means of escape

We are the people
They warned us about
Living  topsy-turvy
In a world that’s upside down

Clearly out of control
On this spinning wheel
Out here selling off our souls
Feeling that it’s no big deal

We are the people
They warned us about
Take a look around
If you have any doubt

Better yet grab a mirror
If you’re afraid to go outside
We are the people
There’s no way to deny

we all desire something more
more than what is in store
some more than they can afford
what's behind the other door

some are happy with what they have
others want much more than that
not yet ready to accept
the life that's landed in their lap

who's not looking out for love
of which there never is enough
with the beating of the drum
more of that and then some

more pleasure in the prize
more than just this one time
finding out you were right
more to this so-called life

more of what they think they can
more of what they wish they had
more than they are left with
what more can be said

Strike a match
to the gas
on everything we do and say

Ignore the lack
of the facts
they just get in the way

Don’t be surprised
when you’re lying eyes
see things differently

As we pull the wool
over you
in what you should believe

If we told you
the entire truth
on todays shake ‘n bake

The living proof
would haunt you
until your dying day

As we strike a match
to the gas
on everything we do and say

Ignore the lack
of the facts
they just get in the way

I hold tight, my reasons why
And use them as I choose
With all my might in broad daylight
Explaining them to the likes of you

Hardly makes sense to the layman
But don't worry, there's no need to fret
The reason why is why I have
Reasons why to begin with

I hold them close for comfort
To help explain decisions made
Shining a light on the reason why
I often say the things I say

If you too need a reason
I've plenty to go around
Some of them don't make much sense
And on that batch, I've long lost count

If I need to find a reason why
I open my mind and just let loose
I might pull several at one time
To help explain them to the likes of you

We have something in common
Or so I am told
All of us are human
With a long way to go

Although we all may look it
We certainly don’t act that way
Being selfish individuals
Until our dying day

We eat, sleep, and breath
All about me
Like they do at the zoo
Strong willed animal instinct

I have to ask what is human
In the way we act
As we pour towards humanity
Proper utensils are what we lack

This one thing we have in common
This so called commonality
Is that we all are human
As far as I can see

…still it’s hard to believe