[Intro] [Lead 1, soulful and low] There he goes again, rain before the clouds. I wonder if I sound like that sometimes. [Verse 1] He can find a gray sky in a clear blue day, Put a weight on a joke till the room walks away. “Oh, man. Here we go.” I know that refrain— I’ve heard it come out when I’m tired or strained. Maybe he’s worn down. Maybe I am too. Maybe something feels wrong, but I can’t say what’s true. Leave a little room before you call it proof; Let me finish the thought. I’ll listen to you. [Choir] Give it room. Give it room. [Hook] Channel one is what I heard. Channel two is what I know. Leave some space between the two Before you tell me where to go. Keep an even keel; let the whole thing breathe. Let me say what happened, what I think it means. There are places for a game— This room isn’t one of those. [Verse 2] A sound where I expected nobody to be; I look for a person, but there’s nobody to see. Is it shared space? Who can enter, and when? I want to ask the question without naming an end. It can feel like three shifts when a worry won’t sleep. Still, a feeling isn’t evidence I get to keep. If somebody knows the facts, let’s put them in view. Give me time to speak clearly; I’ll listen to you. [Choir] In the light. Take your time. [Break] You’re not gonna turn this into a character show? [One beat] Don’t make a verdict out of what we don’t know. [Verse 3, gritty syncopated rap] Practice is practice. The field is the field. Know where to move and know when to yield. A sharp little joke can land and be gone; A label keeps traveling long after you’re done. Was there a reason? Was somebody paid? Those are questions, not answers. Let the difference stay. Give me three feet, four feet—room at the bar. We can talk from right here; you don’t have to come far. [Choir] Let the talk flow. Let the talk flow. [Bridge, half-time] I don’t need a straight face carved into stone. I need enough room to speak in my own tone. If I’m being Eeyore, tell me straight, tell me kind— Hear what I’m carrying before you make up your mind. [Final Hook] Channel one is what I heard. Channel two is what I know. Leave some space between the two Before you tell me where to go. Keep an even keel; let the whole thing breathe. Let me say what happened, what I think it means. There are places for a game— This room isn’t one of those. [Outro] [Lead 1] I wonder if I sound like him sometimes.
