our windows were not cement or steel our doors opened like our daddy's arms held us safe & loved children growing in the company of men old southern men & young slick ones sonny til was not a boy the clovers no rag-tag orphans our crooners/ we belonged to a whole world /3
it wasnt always like this why ray barretto used to be a side-man & dizzy's hair was not always grey i remember i was there i listened in the company of men politics as necessary as collards music even in our dreams our house was filled with all kinda folks /2
it hasnt always been this way ellington was not a street robeson no mere memory du bois walked up my father's stairs hummed some tune over me sleeping in the company of men who changed the world /1
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over. /fin
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. /2
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. /1
Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.
