November 26

Verse 1 Spill some red wine for the loss of innocence As I pen a rhyme to myself in a sense Watch the blood trickle down as I write to the past tense Shedding some depth on the enigma of the masked self Before the minute praise, before being on stage Fueled my dreams, before I changed my name I was a li'l shorter, wishin' that I was a li'l taller Clearasil tubes lined my sink - why I even bothered... On the wrong side of fourteen, still as smart back then As stamped on my test, Algebra 2 was the best Cause I wasn't just 'good' at it, the pretty girls knew it too Would even talk to me at school though I wasn't cool Cause it was through those glasses that we all looked Superficial lenses; I was misunderstood I asked the girl you all know as Lorraine out And got shot down so looking for a way out I figured: she hangs with these basketball kids Bullies and thieves but with athletic skills So maybe if I...played like them Maybe just maybe, she would like me then Chorus I saw you, I saw you, comin' back to me Verse 2 Or so I thought.. Loosening my tie before the bus would stop Run and run, ball was on my mind Past the door, dribble from behind Back-passes to the wall cause there were no other guys Who wanted to play, workin' on my size Lots of bad days, November 26 came and went Tryouts from 10 to 6, maybe it wasn't meant To be that year, I shed my tears Swallowed my pride, did stats that year Didn't spend that whole summer in Argentina playing Soccer I balled till I fell, word to my mother So deep my hunger, all this had to count for something RIGHT?! Shooting hoops all day, but I forgot one thing LIKE The hunger that so fueled my dreams Was peppered distinctly with fear Fear that I wouldn't make the team Fear that they would see a tear Travel down my cheek at their cheek Bullies and thieves with exceptional skills No longer my friends, cause I didn't deem them fit But guys Lorraine spent her time, who she was wit' Chorus Bridge You can't stay and live my way Scatter my love like leaves in the wind You always say you won't go away But I know what it always has been, it always has been A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh Most of the time I just let it go by Now I wish it hadn't begun Verse 3 No Wanted to cry that day when I heard the news Walkin' back to the car, thinking of an excuse On why he refused, after all the work My legs were sore, still no reward? How do I go to school on Monday With this much crap from Sunday? They should call it 'cut-day' Pinot noir for the wordplay I told them I'd make varsity and they laughed in my face Abba, Abba, why should I face this disgrace? And...this is where I'll stop There's a spill on the floor, I need a mop To wipe it off, I haven't touched a ball Since Junior year and my Jordans have been making calls So I'mma pick up my shoes and go outside And play ball or maybe not Because the point is, now it's up to me... I'm finally free And for the high-school kids Please, promise me this: That if fools come through, swingin' for hits That you'll put up your fists Turn the other cheek, but please take no shit There are some bastards out there... But don't worry, we'll have the last laugh at them I'm still in the same spot where I recorded Ball Kronikles... Different mic, different computer but still I present Ball Kronikles Part Two