Still Got Keys

[Intro: upright bass alone, then brushes] [Refrain: low and calm, almost spoken] Twelve years gone, and they changed every lock on the street New paint, new names, new kids actin' brand new on the concrete Nobody told 'em, so I'm tellin' 'em slow, so they see I been gone. I ain't left. And I still got keys [Verse 1: unhurried, smoky] Got off the bus with a paper bag and a gray state sweater Corner store man slid the paper 'cross the counter, didn't ask, knew better Still charged me the old price, quarter under what the sign say He ain't scared, he's respectful. There's a difference. Learn it today Kids on my old step lookin' at me like a rumor in a coat Their uncles see me from the porch, and their uncles clear their throat I ain't here for nobody's corner, I ain't here to make a scene I know which window sticks, which dog don't bark, which stair don't squeak in between I been gone. I ain't left. And I still got keys [Verse 2: closer to the mic, the saxophone answers every line] Somebody painted over my name on the handball wall Paint's thin, young man. Rain'll bring it back by fall Little man with the new chain, talkin' loud by the light Asked me who I was. I said, "Ask your daddy who held his coat his first fight" Landlord sold the building, put a gate up and a camera I watched him put the camera up. I know the man that sold him the camera I don't threaten. Never did. Threats are for men who might I just sit on the stoop like the weather, and the weather's always right I been gone. I ain't left. And I still got keys [Saxophone solo: four bars, the bass walks under it, piano drops one low chord] [Verse 3: whisper-close, colder] They think a lock is a wall. A lock is a promise, and promises bend Every key I own is a favor somebody owes, and I don't collect, I wait 'til the end Twelve years I counted bricks. Now I'm countin' who flinched when I came through You flinched. It's fine. Sit down. I ain't here for you I'm here 'cause this my block, and a block knows who it's for Ask the bricks. Ask the stairs. Ask the door [Refrain: low, slow, final] Twelve years gone, and they changed every lock on the street New paint, new names, new kids actin' brand new on the concrete Nobody told 'em, so I'm tellin' 'em slow, so they see I been gone. I ain't left. And I still got keys [Outro: upright bass alone, stops in the middle of a walk] [End]