The Voice

Lord, have mercy

Bang! - A gunshot rings out
13-year-old baby falls 2 the ground
See the killer runnin' down the street
Tell me killer, can U hear the sound?

Tap, tap, tappin' on your window like a fallin' rain
Cryin' like a baby in a cradle sayin' pick me up again

Ching! - Mr. Politician goes on vacation
Brings along a friend or 2
In the disguise of taxes
Mr. Politician (sends) sends the bill 2 U know who

Tap, tap, tappin' on your window like a fallin' rain
(Tappin' on my window like a fallin' rain)
Cryin' like a baby in a cradle sayin' pick me up again
(Cryin' like a baby, pick me up)
Can't U hear the voice? (Oh yeah)

The nightsticks are still singin'
4-part harmony on brother's back
Justice is doomed when we don't start no S-H
And there's still some I-T in all of that

Tap, tap, tappin' on your window like a fallin' rain
(Can't U hear it tappin' like a fallin' rain fine-tune cryin' like a baby?)
Cryin' like a baby in a cradle sayin' pick me up again
(Pick me up, pick me up)
I'm talkin' about the voice, y'all

Ha, suky, suky now
Sho'mon (Tap)
Sho'mon (Tap)
Help me here (Tap)
Tappin' (Tap)
Tappin', tappin', ha ha (Tap)
Tap on it, tap on it (Tap) (Tap)

Can't U see it's just dirty money?
If your brother man is dyin' in the flow
Take off these chains (Tap) (Tap)
And listen 2 the voice callin' (Tap)
We gotta go, gotta go (Tap) (Tap)

Tap, tap, tappin' on your window like a fallin' rain
(Oh yeah, like a fallin' rain)
Cryin' like a baby in a cradle sayin' pick me up again
(Cryin' like a baby, pick me up, pick me up)

5-4-3-2-1, keep the war over (Tap)
But how many wanna keep the peace (Tap) (Tap)
We keep buildin' guns when we could build love (Tap)
(When we need 2 build love)
Cuz that's when the war will cease

U know it, U know it (Tap) (Tap)
Can't U hear the voices? (Tap) (Tap)
Can't U hear the sound? (Tap)
Take heed, get your house in order (Tap)

Tap, tap, tappin' on your window like a fallin' rain
(Tappin', tappin' like a.. like a fallin' rain)
Cryin' like a baby in a cradle sayin' pick me up again
(Cryin' like a baby, pick me up, pick me up)

Sighin' like a woman on fire
When she's ready 4 some of your love
(Born ready 4 all of your love)
The voice is just a-steady-callin'
(The voice is callin')
Until U give in, until U give up

© 1991 Controversy Music - ASCAP

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House In Order

U remember when U have 2 stay after school
And write on the board a hundred times
"I ain't doin' my homework, I ain't doin' my lesson"

(House!)
Give it up, give it up, give it...
House in order {x2}

Yesterday I found an earring
U know damn well it wasn't mine
This morning I found a hair in your sink
The long stringy kind
Pardon me 4 misleading
But my papa don't raise no fools
And if U don't wanna fail your lesson
U better stay after school

I think, I think U better
Get your house in order
Get your shoes on straight
Your tears can run like water
But they're just a little 2 little 2 late
House
U better get your house in order
Uh huh

See me call U on the phone
3 a.m. your line's engaged
See me wonderin' if U're all alone
See me go into a rage
Hear me knockin' on your window
Hear Muntana knee deep
Hear me tell the 2 of U 2 go 2 H-E double L
And if U're feelin' froggy leap!

I think, I think U better
Get your house in order
Get your shoes on straight
Your tears can run like water (Tears can run like water)
But they're just a little 2 little 2 late
House
Baby, get your house in order
House
Baby, get your house in order

Hear me knockin' on your window
U better... (Get your house in order)
(Baby, get your house in order)
Get your house in order

Don't mix me up with your money maker (Money maker)
I'd never work 2 keep U fat (Fat... no!)
I'd rather work 4 the undertaker
A dead man got more sense than U if U think that I'm gonna go 4 that

Better get your house in order (Get your house in order)
Better get your shoes on straight (Get your shoes on straight)
Your tears can run like water
But they're just a little 2 little 2 late
House in order
Better get your house in order (House in order)
House in order {x2}

Yeah
Blow it on me
Ooh, sounds right

Pardon me 4 misleadin'
But my papa didn't raise no fool
And if U don't want 2 fail your lesson
U better stay after school

I think, I think U better (I think U better)
Get your house in order
Get your shoes on straight
Your tears can run like water
But they're just a little 2 late, 2 late
House

(Get your house in order)
Get your, get your house in order
(Baby, get your house in order)
U better... (Get your house in order)
Get your shoes on straight
(Baby, get your house in order) {fade out}
U see, your tears don't mean, mean nothin'
(Baby, get your house in order)
Because your tears baby (Get your house in order)
Are way much 2 late (Get your house in order)

© 1992 Controversy Music - ASCAP

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Blood Is Thicker Than Time

I've been 2 the mountain top
I've been 2 the valley low
The one thing that never stopped
Was the love that my family showed
When my mama she passed away
My papa he gave us hope
He said there won't ever come a day
When your family won't help U cope

As sure as Moses' staff parted the water
As sure as Cain had 2 pay 4 his crime
As sure as no one wants 2 be broken hearted
That's how sure I am that blood is thicker than time

Well

We went 2 church on Sunday mornin' (Oh yeah)
All dressed up lookin' mighty fine
The spirit came without a warning
Intoxicated us all like wine
Don't it make U stop and wonder
Why we kill our own kind every day?
Why can't we get along with each other
When we damn well know it's the only way?

As sure as Moses' staff parted the water
As sure as Cain had 2 pay 4 his crime
As sure as no one wants 2 be broken hearted
That's how sure I am that blood is thicker than time
(That's how sure I am, oh yeah, blood is thicker than time)

Don't it make U stop and wonder
Why we kill our own kind every day?
Why can't we get along with each other
When we damn well know it's the only way?

As sure as Moses' staff parted the water
As sure as Cain had 2 pay 4 his crime (Uh-huh)
As sure as no one wants 2 be broken hearted
That's how sure I am that blood is thicker than time

That's how sure I am blood is thicker than time

© 1992 Controversy Music - ASCAP

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You Will Be Moved

U will be moved when the baby lets out his very first cry
U will be moved when U think of how hard he'll have 2 try
He'll grow up on an empty stomach, but he'll try his best 2 listen
2 the teacher readin' from a schoolbook with half the pages missin'

CHORUS:
Surely when the rain comes, U will be moved
La da da da da
See the video

U will be moved, and U will be when the baby makes all the grades
U will be moved, and U will be when they still don't hire him anyway
Moved by a system without one single guarantee
That an education is the answer and love will set us free

CHORUS

Oh, U will be moved when the rain comes, oh yes, U will be moved
When the streets overflow with angry souls, that's when U see the truth
When the pain that U've inflicted comes back on your door 2 roost
(Back on your door 2 roost)
That's when U'll see the future (future), but U won't see U

CHORUS

U will be moved when the whip comes down
On the back of one of your own
U will be moved when U look 4 compassion
But U find U're all alone
Moved, and U will be
When U are, that's when U'll know
That the bread U share is better than the blood
That your deeds have caused 2 flow
(That the bread is better than the blood)

CHORUS

Hey, U will be moved when the rain comes, oh yes, U will be moved
When the streets all flow with angry souls, that's when U'll see the truth
When the pain that U've inflicted comes back on your door 2 roost
(Back on your door 2 roost)
That's when U'll see the future (future), but U won't see U

I said surely when the rain comes, U will be moved
La da da da da (La da da da da)
See the video

Hey, surely, surely, surely (when the rain comes)
Surely y'all
Ow, la da da da da

© 1992 Controversy Music - ASCAP

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All Because Of You

Needin' 2 surrender
Needin' someone tender
Someone who would show me what 2 do
Knowing I was lonely
U smiled upon me
I'm alive and it's all because of U, U, U (All because of U)

All the time I wasted
Hangin' out lonely places
Lyin' was my way of gettin by
Now my friends are long departed
And I never finish what I started
I was crippled, crawling in the dark

I believed in nothing until U took my hand
U showed me just how good your love can be
Now I feel so grateful 2 U 4 lovin' me
Now I'm complete and it's all because of U
Oh U (All because of U)

Your love keeps holdin' me 2gether (All because of U)
I found a stronger love deep inside me (All because of U)
And if U asked me 2 show how much I love U
I'd give my life 2 show U
I'd do it all because of...

U gave me what I needed
And um... anyone could see it
But I was passin' on and goin' fast (Passin' on and goin' fast)
U wrapped me in your sweetness
And your love started me healin'
U filled my soul with love that's gonna last

Yes, I believed in nothing until U took my hand
And I found my way and it's all because of U, oh U
(All because of U) {repeat in BG}
Your love keeps holdin' me 2gether
I found a stronger love deep inside me
And I believe there's someone there 2 guide me yes
I don't need 2 do the things I used 2 no ... no, no
U showed me how 2 love and I thank ya (And I thank U)
I thank U, thank ya (Yes, I thank U)
U're everything I want, everything I need (All because of U)
All because of U
And if U asked me 2 show how much I love U
I'd give U my life all because of U ... oh yes

I'd give it, all because (U gave me what I needed)
Because of your sweetness (U gave me what I needed)
Mmm, because of your love (All because of U) (U gave me what I needed)
U showed me how 2 love
I went blind, I couldn't see (U gave me what I needed)
U came and threw your arms all around me (U gave me what I needed)
And U rescued me
All because of U... hey

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The Undertaker

The undertaker

Put away the guns 4 future's sake
Don't U be another number 4 the undertaker
Put away the guns 4 future's sake
Don't U be another number 4 the undertaker

Mercy
Calling mercy

Turn off the violence, there's children watching
Listen 2 the silence, it's a better box 2 be in
Turn off the violence, there's children watching
Listen 2 the silence, it's a better box 2 be in

Mercy (Mercy)
Calling mercy

Don't go with the crack (No)
U might never come back
I believe I'll say that again
Don't go with the crack (Don't go with the crack)
U might never come back (Might never come back)

(Mercy) Hey mercy
(Mercy, mercy)
Mercy now (Mercy)
Mercy (Oh Lord, have mercy)

Don't matter (Don't matter, don't matter)
The color of your face (The color of your face)
The undertaker (The undertaker)
Don't care about race (Don't care about race)
on't matter (Don't matter, don't matter)
The color of your face (The color of your face)
The undertaker (The undertaker)
He don't care about race (Don't care about race)

Mercy (Mercy)
Calling mercy (Mercy)
Hey mercy

(Calling mercy) {x2}
Mercy, mercy, mercy

Don't let the devil make U
Dance with the undertaker

Put away the guns 4 future's sake
(Put away the guns 4 future's sake)
Don't U be another number 4 the undertaker
(Don't be another number 4 the undertaker)
Put away the guns 4 future's sake
(Put away the guns 4 future's sake)
Don't U be another number 4 the undertaker
(Don't be another number 4 the undertaker)
4 the undertaker (4 the undertaker)
4 the undertaker (4 the undertaker)
Undertaker (Undertaker)
I'm talkin' 'bout the undertaker (Talkin' 'bout the undertaker)

Only the brave can cope
Don't U give up hope (Don't give up hope)
The undertaker
Here come the undertaker

Mercy
I'm calling mercy
Hey mercy
Mercy
Mercy early in the morning
Sho'nuff (Mercy)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, mercy
Mercy in the morning
Mercy in the noon day hour
In the evening

Don't let the devil make U (Don't let the devil make U)
Dance with the undertaker (Dance with the undertaker)
Don't do it (Don't do it)
No no (Don't do it)
Don't do that y'all
Uh-huh

Only the brave can cope
U see here, U can't give up hope
(Don't give up, don't give up hope)
No, mercy (Mercy)
Mercy, mercy, mercy (Mercy, yeah) {fade out}
No

Put away the guns 4 future's sake
Mercy (Mercy)

© 1992 Michael Anthony / NPG Publishing / Controversy Music - ASCAP

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Melody Cool

I've seen a many bridges in my time and crossed every one of 'em
With no trouble at all (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
I had trials and tribulations, heartaches and pains
(Well, that's alright)
Survived 'em all baby (Uh-huh, say it, say it!)
I'm still Melody and I'm still Cool (Melody Cool)

They call me Melody Cool {"Melody" repeats thru in BG}
I was here long before U
If U're good I will love ya, but I'm nobody's fool
I'm Melody Cool

When I was born, there were tidal waves
Whole town went under, nobody saved
At every funeral it rained every time I sang Melody Cool

I have been here much longer, longer than U
I'm Melody Cool

Well now, everybody runnin' 'round talkin' 'bout saving souls
When they know good and plenty well
They got enough trouble tryin' 2 save their own
(Ah, that's alright) (Say it, say it)

Go on, go on
Every woman and every man
One day they just got 2 understand
That if we play in the same key everything will be Melody Cool

(What's your name?)

New power, wave your hand
Everybody sing out across the land
I said "Hey, hey, hey" (Hey, hey, hey)
Say "Hey, hey, hey" (Hey, hey, hey)
Everybody say "Hey, hey, hey" (Hey, hey, hey)
They call me Melody Cool

Looka here young'n
Let me give U a piece of good advice
And I do get paid for counseling
It ain't no BIG I's and little U's in my life
So that's why U see

They call me Melody Cool (Melody Cool)
I was here long before U (Long before U)
If U're good I will love U, but I'm nobody's fool
I'm Melody Cool

(Melody Cool) {"Melody Cool" repeats to fade}
(Long before U)

© 1990 Controversy Music - ASCAP

Kain't Turn Back

(Kain't turn back) {"Kain't" repeats thru in BG}
I got my mind made up
I... I... I got my mind made up
(Kain't turn back)

Every time U turn around
U're givin' me hope, then U bring me down
Rub my face in the mud and then U lie behind my back
It could be a possibility, baby it just weren't meant 2 be
Maybe it's time 4 us 2 go on separately

U never understood my problems
U never asked me what I need

CHORUS:
It's my time 2 let U see
Just how bad U treated me
Maybe the love we had, it just weren't meant 2 be
I got my mind made up, now I know that I kain't turn back, no
It's gonna be hard 4 me 2 let go, but I kain't turn back

Well, hey!
Oh Lord

Haven't I tried 2 treat U right?
So why do U go out every night
Chasin' the same old thing when I got just what U need?
Then U expect my loyalty, love and trust and honesty
Baby, it's time 2 check on your priorities

We never talked about solutions (No, no, no, no)
All we did was fuss and fight

CHORUS

(Kain't turn back)
Play on it, play on it
Well, give me that blues y'all, come on
(Kain't turn back)
[U got 2 try anyway]
I need U 2 tell me

I got my mind made up, now I know I kain't turn back, no
(That I kain't turn back)
It's gonna be hard, gonna be hard 4 me 2 let go
But I, but I kain't, I... no, no no
(It's gonna be hard 4 me 2 let go, but I kain't turn back)

(No, I kain't turn back)
I kain't, I kain't, just kain't, no I kain't turn back

(Everybody kain't do that, yeah) {fade out}
U see I, I love U, but I kain't do it
I kain't turn back (I kain't turn back)
I've come 2 far (Come 2 far)
Come 2 far 2 turn back

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I'll Be Right There

Well
My my my

When U're down and out and U need some consolation
U just call on me and I'll be there 2 see U through
When indecision clouds your mind
Looking 4 a choice and I won't leave U far behind

I'll be your source of inspiration (Yes, I will)
He said, have faith in me (Have faith in me)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
I'll be right there

Play on it
Yeah

In a troubled world full of lies and variation
We need 2 know that there's a light that shines our way
And lead us through the turmoil of dissention
And lift us up, help us 2 face another day

I'll be your source of inspiration
(Oh yes, that's what U mean 2 me)
He said, have faith in me
(Have faith, have faith in me)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
(He'll be the wind, chase the clouds away)
I'll be right there
(I'm gonna be right there 4 U)

I'll be your source of inspiration
He said, have faith in me (He said it all)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
(The winds chase the dark clouds away)
I'll be right there
(I will be right there, yes I will)

If U ever need a friend, one on whom U can depend
I will comfort U, keep me in your heart and your soul
And if U ever don't know where 2 go, just call on me
And I'll be sure 2 let U know I'm your friend

I'll be your source of inspiration (I am)
He said, have faith in me
(About the size of a mustard seed)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
I'll be right there

I'll be your source of inspiration
(I'll be the one U can depend on)
He said, have faith in me
(If U just believe and have faith in me)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
(I'll be the wind that'll chase your dark clouds away)
I'll be right there
(Yes I will, yes I will now) (Whenever U need me)

I'll be your source of inspiration (Say it loud)
He said, have faith in me (Uh-huh, uh-huh)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
I'll be right there

I'll be your source of inspiration {fade out}
He said, have faith in me
(Faith about the size of a mustard seed)
The wind that will chase the clouds away
I'll be right there (I'll be, I'll be there)

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A Man Called Jesus

Jesus
(Love)
(Higher up)
(Higher up)

Let me tell U about a man I know
Had power 2 change bread 2 gold
Never did he pray 4 what he didn't need
The word of God he always heeded 2
A man called Jesus
A man called Jesus

Born in Bethlehem Christmas Day
A man whose life changed the way
Everywhere with the holy word he went
Some folks said it was absurd
He walked on water like dry land
Floatin' on faith
I'm talkin' about the man called (Jesus) Jesus (Love)
Jesus (Higher up) Jesus

Non-believers soon grew 2 hate (Jesus)
Cuz when he rapped he put love in the place
My God is love (Higher up)
Jesus (Love) (Higher up)
Mary's baby Jesus

4 every man, woman, boy and girl
This man died 4 the sins of the world, of the world
U can have happiness everyday
This man's life is proof and his word is the way
His word is the way
And that word is love (Love)
Alright (Higher up)

Yeah, yeah
(Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus, Jesus) Jesus (Higher up)
(Love) (Higher up)

My Jesus, Jesus (Ooh yeah)
Oh Lord, woke me up this mornin' (Jesus)
Started me on my way (Started me on my way)
I'm talkin' about Jesus (Higher, higher, higher up)

Let me tell U about a man I know
Had power 2 change bread 2 gold
Never did he pray 4 what he didn't need
God's word he always heeded
(Jesus) Jesus (Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus) Jesus (Jesus)

(Jesus, Jesus) Oh, how I love 2 call your name
(Higher, higher, higher up)
Jesus, Jesus

(Love 2 call, come on and love His name)
A friend above all others
U make a way out of no way
Turn the midnight into day
Mary's baby born in Bethlehem (Jesus)
My main man Jesus (Higher up)
Lily of the valley (Jesus)
Bright and morning star
He's the Prince of Peace (Higher up)
Listen y'all
I'm talkin bout the man, I'm talkin bout the man
A man called Jesus
U oughta get 2 know him
U oughta try him
Jesus (Jesus) Jesus (Jesus) (Higher up)
Jesus (Jesus) Jesus (Jesus)
Jesus (Jesus) Jesus (Jesus)

© 1989 Controversy Music - ASCAP

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Why

Why is the grass always greener over on the other side?
And why does the sound of rain falling makes me feel like I wanna cry?
It never seems 2 get easier the more we try
I always find myself just askin' why (Why? Why? Why?)

Why when there should be so much love do we just fuss and fight?
Oh well
And why can't there be more understanding just between U and I?
Oh yes

When someone's hurt in love and war, it's never fair ... oh no
My head believes, but my heart can't understand
I wanna know, I really gotta know if this is all there is
Then I'll keep lovin'
I'll keep asking why is there just so little time? (Why? Why?)
I wonder why ... oh yeah (Why? Why?)

Somebody tell me (Why?)
Oh, I gotta know (Why?)
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me (Why? Why?)

When someone's hurt in love and war, it's never fair (Never fair)
My head believes, but my heart can't understand ... my heart, my heart
I wanna know, I really gotta know if this is all there is
Then I'll keep lovin'
I'll keep asking why is it just so little time? (Why? Why?)
I wonder why ... oh why (Why? Why?)

Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me (Why? Why?)
Somebody tell me why ... oh help me Lord (Why? Why?)
Tell me why (Why?) (Why?)
Why can't we come 2gether? (Why?)
Why can't we love one another? (Why?)
I wanna know
Why can't we love one another?
Oh why?

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Positivity

CHORUS:
Positivity
Have U had your plus sign 2 day?
Positivity
Do we mark U present or do we mark U late?

Is that a good man
Walking down the street with that money in his hand?
Is that a good man?
Why do U dog him?
If that was your father, tell me, would U dog him then?
Would U dog him?

CHORUS

Is that all your gold?
Where did it come from?
What did U have 2 do?
Can U sleep nights?
Do U dream straight up?
Or do U dream in W's?

CHORUS

Na na na na na na, so so

CHORUS

Na na na na na na, so so
Oh, say it again
Na na na na na na, so so (So so)
Positivity
Na na na na na na, so so (Oh no no no)

Wave your hands 4 positivity y'all
(Wave your hands, wave your hands)
All the boys and all the girls
(All the boys and all the girls)
U are the new kings of the world (Kings of the world)

Shall the court sing 2gether?
In every man's life there will be a hang-up
A whirlwind designed 2 slow U down
It cuts like a knife and tries 2 get in U
This spooky electric sound
Give up if U want 2 and all is lost
Spooky electric will be your boss

Call People magazine, Rolling Stone
Call your next of kin cuz your life is gone
He's got a 57 mag with the price tag still on the side
Cuzzin', when spooky say dead, U better say died
Or U can fly high right by spooky and all that he crawls 4 (U can fly high)
Spooky and all that he crawls 4 (Everything spooky crawls 4)
Don't kiss the beast

Give it up 4 peace y'all
Positivity (Positivity)
Positivity

Hold on 2 your soul, we got a long way 2 go
Positivity, yeah
Hold on 2 your soul, we got a long way 2 go {fade out}
Sure got a long way 2 go
Positivity (We can make if we try)
Positivity
Hold on 2 your soul

© 1988 Controversy Music - ASCAP

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