Where I'm From

I stumbled into Brooklyn
Only arrows in my holster
Met a woman of great knowledge
With volumes on her shoulder
She eyed me with her wisdom
And criticized my posture
She begged for my beginnings
Her tongue could taste the texture
And she said “what do you do where you’re from?”
“Do you sing about the girls that you love?”
Those moments of madness and overwhelming joy
I said not anymore, no, not since I lost my voice
Then I crept in to Atlanta
Went to Claremont, met a dancer
Her shift was almost over
I asked if we could meet up after
And I bullied her with questions
Some she couldn’t help but answer
She told me she was married
I told her I don’t think it matters
And she said “what do you do where you’re from?”
“Do you trouble all the girls that you love?”
Just ride them and confuse them, until they’re weak and broken down
And I said “I’m sure you’ll know once I leave town”
Then I staggered into Denton
And I sensed the changing weather
And the sweetest bird of youth
She went and lured me with her feathers
And of course she tried to cage me
And man I almost let her
But I told her I had to move on
“Trust me baby, it’s for the better”
And she said “what do you do where you’re from?”
“Do you forget about the girls that you love?”
The light that we can give you, when night’s as bold as black
I said “I won’t need more once I get my memory back”
Then I fell into a forest
Collapsed upon the canvas
And I dreamt about a desert
That I came to in Los Angeles
Found solace in the silence
As I stepped into my palace
And I feel I’ll never leave here
Just like J.F.K. in Dallas
And you ask “What do I do where I’m from?”
I try to balance all the pain and the love
I sing so I remember everything you gave
And I promise you my heart until I leave again
Yes, I promise you my heart until I leave again
Yes, I promise you my heart
Yes, I promise you my heart
Yes, I promise you my—