Track Title: As Me (Empathy)

ASCAP Registration # 929069985

You don’t know how it feels, to be living while you act this way

You don’t know how it feels, so much contempt each and every day

You don’t know how it feels, to see and know you just don’t care

But there will come a day when common ground our feet shall bear

On that day, it is you who will quickly, surely come to see

We’re alike in our existence and our being, in our humanity

You see me coming, because I, to you, am different

I have stopped running, ‘cuz I am, for me, existent

You always humming, because you, want me, denied

You always cheating, you fear how loss hurts yo pride

I never wanted to have to think this much about ‘you’

It is not my fault lust for dominion in you always brews

You don’t wanna care bout how it is to live as me

You don’t wanna admit you think my life should not be free

You don’t want to bear the weight of your fear, ignorance or hate

You want to have my agency and autonomy without debate

Tell you once – my life belongs to me, I deserve to live free.

“Oh you so mean” is what they gonna say

Because I’m posed to always smooth THEIR way?!?

Reciprocation? Let my interests get some sway?

Oh perish the friendship! Just too much to pay!

Transactional culture, consumer society

Leeching the mind, preying on the willingness to team

My grandma taught me how to spot them in this way

They show up for the reward, but for work they slip away

They always have a better idea, but never seem willing to pay

They’d rather see it fail than not do it as they prefer and say

Gran would say, “Let everyone be a little unhappy, long as they show up every day.”

(Compromise!!!)

But, you don’t wanna care bout how it is to live as me

You don’t wanna admit you think my life should not be free

You don’t want to bear the weight of your fear, ignorance or hate

You want to have my agency and autonomy without debate

Tell you once – my life belongs to me, I deserve to live free.

This song is for me and mine and if you know, then surely it’s for you, too

No matter what happens, what foolishness they scream or even do

Take this mantra for yourself, to yourself and to any you love be true

“My life belongs to me, I will be free, As will those I protect, or those who to me flee.”

May all of humanity, one day know equanimity, in brotherhood with empathy…

Live free.