WHAT IS YOUR SOUL MOTIVATION? EP
BY CHRIS SWAN
© 2017 Soul Motivation Records
Click here to download lyrics PDF for What Is Your Soul Motivation? EP
SOUL MOTIVATION
What’s your soul motivation?
What’s your soul motivation?
What’s your soul motivation?
VERSE 1:
Ok I’m rapping with ya, come on and take a picture,
But I’m not saying empty rhymes, this time I’m out to get ya,
So I’m a write it down, why? Cuz if I’m not around,
I want you to repeat every word ya heard me spitting, here’s why,
I got a funny feeling that you feeling funny,
See you drinking in the corner and your nose is kind of runny,
I use to hold that corner down, but I like to think I’m found,
Once lost, high cost, now you looking at the boss,
See now, I love my brother, but more than any other,
I learned to love myself, can’t help but feeling like no other,
Nobody else like me, I love it that way endlessly,
And can you see me riding down your street with you right next to me,
Hands up, windows down, feeling love all around,
it all starts with the sound of your heart beating now,
Can you finally see it now?
You got the greatness, you don’t need to fake this,
Sing it now.
CHORUS:
Will you go where you want to go?
Will you do what you want to do?
What’s your soul motivation and will you follow through?
Cuz in this life we have a chance to change what we want to,
So find your soul motivation and follow through.
Ok, Ok, Ok, huh.
VERSE 2:
You don’t have to be another casualty,
Another lost one, another fantasy,
That never comes to be,
A dreamer with no dream,
If it was up to me I’d leave it up to you to see,
What you want to see, endless possibility,
No matter who your parents be or what outside your window,
We all have opportunity, it’s all inside your mind,
And you can find your peace within you if you find the time.
VERSE 3:
So now’s the time to listen to the advice I’m giving,
I promise if you just try, you can see what is written,
On the wall of your life, but there is no giving up,
You got to push on and push through,
When it’s hard it’s just you versus the world, it’s true,
But it’s better than hiding in blue,
Do you want more?
Go get it, your fear, forget it,
Time to let it be time for you,
Bet it.
CHORUS
VERSE 2
CHORUS 2X
DREAMER
VERSE 1:
Yo who said every rapper’s gotta thug out,
Roll on dubs, smoke my weed, pull my gun out,
What if I rolled up to you and pulled a hug out,
That’s what I do man, now why you gotta bug out?
I was eleven when I wrote my first rap,
Who I was suppose to be I didn’t give a crap.
All I did was dream and scheme about the bright light gleam,
And a stadium full of fans hands down is the best thing,
In my mind, I got a chance to make it so I’ll take it.
I find, people who fake it take it for granted ain’t it high time,
We had a true player reveal, the real things you feel, but are too scared to spill,
But I’m a dreamer who’s still got his sights on cloud nine,
And I know it’s gonna be mine,
I’m on seven now, two more to go somehow,
It’s time for a dreamer now. Huh, yo.
CHORUS:
I could dream all night,
Yo cuz I’m a dreamer see,
And I don’t lose sight,
Cuz my dreams are free,
If the dream is right,
Why you wanna mess with me?
I just keep it in sight,
Just let me dream.
Just let me dream,
Just let me dream,
Just let me dream,
Know what I mean?
VERSE 2:
Just let me dream man, it’s all I got right now with this lame hand,
It’s like I’ve got all nines and tens, but I’d do it again if I was free to let my mind just be man,
See I know I won’t be here forever cuz I’m too clever,
I’m too Chris Weber, and too Hugh Hefner,
See I’m a superstar, a superstar, I just gotta get the world to see how things really are,
I’ve dreamt it, yep, but it’s time to take it to that next level,
Like Aaron Nevil, I like the feel of cotton,
But I’ve gotten where, I like the feel of nothing there, but now I’m up for something there.
I want a picture on my shelf of myself in an Escalade,
Leading the parade praising me, as I turn around and praise God,
And I love my job, as I cruise down to Palm Beach. Yea.
CHORUS
VERSE 3:
I’m gonna make it in this rap game, cuz I’m a dreamer, a believer,
Not a deceiver, stealin’ other people’s style they dialed in on their receiver,
Can you achieve a, level of greatness in one lifetime?
Or is it true you get the fame when you start dying,
I won’t believe it cuz I’m not done trying,
These people spying me can stop eyeing me cuz I’m high on dreams,
So it seems…
CHORUS 2X
VACATION
CHORUS:
Yo I think it’s time now to take a trip,
Just for the heck of it,
Sometimes you got to get a way, to see a better day,
Sometimes you just need to take a trip,
Just for the heck of it,
No time for hesitation, but time for a vacation.
VERSE 1:
Yo I think It’s time now to take a trip,
Cuz I’m just so sick of it,
This feeling of being weighed down,
I’m like a prince who lost his crown, I’m so down,
For a little vacation, a trip across the nation,
Or hop on a plane for a ride across sky,
To some island of luxury, just picture me. Yea.
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
Sometimes you just need a vacation for your mind,
A little time to unwind,
Sit back, relax and not think about the everyday,
Complex is your brain, cuz you’re still the same,
As long as blood is pumping through your veins,
We’re so used to shame, we can’t play the game,
Or release the pain.
You’re still alive so you gotta do more than survive,
You can thrive in this world if you want to,
So think about that, as you take a long drive.
CHORUS 2X
VERSE 3:
Some people don’t think that they deserve,
A vacation but that’s so absurd,
Man, the nerve of anyone holdin’ you down,
Just let them go on their own, bound for glory is everyone,
We all have our own story, with happy endings,
So leave all that’s pending, and stop defending,
Your sadness cuz that’s madness,
It’s time to free your mind, so free your mind.
CHORUS 2X
START AGAIN
VERSE 1:
Yo I’m so tired of being stuck in this rut,
Feelin’ defeated, feelin’ like my only option’s to give up,
To stay seated like I need a reason to stand up,
A reason to try, a reason to spell my name out to the P-P-Y,
Cuz L-U sounds like loser but I know that ain’t me,
I’m given in to the voices trying to annialate me,
But this is my time now so get in line and see,
I’m startin’ over and I’m older and I’m wiser times three. Yea.
CHORUS:
If you wanna feel your heart my friend,
You know you can always just start again,
Every time you feel like it’s all too much,
Close your eyes and visualize, you’re back in touch,
If you wanna feel your new life begin,
You know you can always just start again,
Today is the day to do it,
Now just open your eyes.
VERSE 2:
Well, today’s the day to do whatever needs to be done,
See, you can start the day at zero but push onto one,
Cuz once you do, you see the progress that is just begun,
Zero’s a memory and two a dream that you’ve overcome,
It ain’t so hard once you believe and win the war in your head,
You’re the only one keeping you down and keeping your shame fed,
See, I bled before but now I’m scared to bleed again,
But I’m free to exceed my expectations and fend for my life.
CHORUS 2X
VERSE 3:
Yea, I know how you feel right now,
The whole world is laughin’ and havin’ a ball,
While you’re down, and you just happen to feel yourself fall,
But look around, cuz you’re on top of it all,
Even when you’re bound,
By the negativity, the things that get to me and you,
Yea, I’ve been there too,
But when the sun sets, yo you can say goodbye,
And look for it to rise then the only limit’s the sky.
CHORUS 2X
SMILE ON
CHORUS:
We only get one chance, yo, so smile on,
This life we have is a gift, yo, so smile on,
The spirit’s easy to lift, yo, so smile on,
Cuz it will be too late while we’re gone.
We only get one chance, yo, so smile on,
This life we have is a gift, yo, so smile on,
The spirit’s easy to lift, yo, so smile on,
Cuz it will be too late while we’re gone,
So smile on
VERSE 1:
Yo I been waiting a minute to get it and smile on,
I need to quit it and quit trying to pile on,
All the gimmicks and quick fixes that find me on,
The bottom rung feeling unsung and spied on,
But now I want to express this in my song,
Feeling the positive flowing outta my own lungs,
Feeling the power I have to go out and get some,
No more hiding behind the fake, yeah, I’ve lied some,
See I can take this situation and face it,
Make it a new situation that I don’t want to replace,
So tired of looking down, walking ‘round, with my head gone,
Gotta hold on to this feeling, gotta hold on,
I’ve wasted so much time feeling despised on,
When those voices in my head start talking, I’m gone,
I need to talk back so I can get to talking on,
Been hush hush, quiet for too long,
So smile on.
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
You don’t have to listen to me if you don’t wanna,
Cuz you can keep on living life within the walls of your drama,
And you can quit trying and just go home and live with your mama,
Hide in the basement, find replacement in your tv and sauna,
Oh wait, you don’t have one cuz you can’t afford steam,
And your fait is on hold because you ran from your team,
And your team is sitting wondering what’s up with the dream,
All because you had to quit, you felt a rip at the seems,
But a smile can change a day, a week, a year and a life,
It can erase all of the pain, the weakness, fear and the strife,
And it can give you all the strength you need to head towards the light,
And once you see it, you believe it and you know it’s alright.
So smile now and let your neighbor see the joy on your face,
And let him take it to the others that are up in his space,
And if we all can let this process just continue for days,
Then we can change the world forever, in so many ways,
So smile on.
CHORUS 2X
VERSE 3:
I’ve been biding my time, waiting for a second sun to shine,
Waiting ‘till the world is mine,
Waiting ‘till I lose weight, or ‘till I choose fait,
Or ‘till God himself tells me it’s ok,
But that time never comes, this time’s begun,
So you gotta choose now or you’ll never see the sun,
And at night, don’t wait for the fireworks up in the sky,
You gotta try, choose life, then choose a smile.
CHORUS 2X
GASPIN'
CHORUS:
(Stop for air) Feels like you’re gaspin’ for air kinda,
Just like you’re gaspin’ for air, ya need to,
Feed the hope to start the repair,
And to stop gaspin’ for air, you’re almost there.
(Stop for air) Feels like you’re gaspin’ for air kinda,
Just like you’re gaspin’ for air, ya need to,
Feed the hope to start the repair,
And to stop gaspin’ for the air out there.
VERSE 1:
I use to run in circles with my life on hold,
I use to eat the pie with no al la mode,
But after years of fear, that plan got old,
I had to rearrange, it’s strange how you find your own,
I can’t believe the road and how many times I’ve been towed,
Or how many dimes I spent while nickels I owed,
How many calls from the top were put on hold,
And I how I had to pay the piper with the pipes that I stole,
And how I ran from the cops cuz my tags was old,
Even though my car wouldn’t run on fumes no more,
But with time your mind needs the plot to unfold,
So you can breath, and take your life off hold,
I need to…
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
I use to wonder what it is I’s put here for,
I use to wonder if the world could hear me, or,
If I was screaming to myself and just myself knew the score,
And all the people that I knew had never seen me before,
I use to call my phone before I walked through the door,
So I would have a message that I couldn’t ignore,
I knew I needed a change or some change, I was poor,
But never being who I was really bugged me much more,
I had to learn to tie my shoes with laces I tore,
And how to talk to people that I once was at war with,
See, it’s starting to make sense, and since I’m in store,
For a new life, I think twice about the reward,
I could be here alone just like I was so before,
But now I like it on this side of the door.
I need to stop for air, what was the gaspin’ for?
Just breath. Yea.
CHORUS
BREAKDOWN
VERSE 3:
And now that I got a couple years under my belt,
I finally can start to understand the way that I felt,
And if I ever start to lose my mind, I find what can help,
A breath of fresh air cuz that’s where my sanity’s held,
I use to spend my mental on the sentimental,
But now I figure I can linger only so long before I go on,
So so long to yesteryear, cuz now the future’s here.
Huh, I need to just breath.
CHORUS 2X
WELCOME TO THE FELLOWSHIP
BY CHRIS SWAN
© 2018 Soul Motivation Records
Click here to download lyrics PDF for Welcome To The Fellowship
*Only lyrics for singles available at this time
PERFECT
BY CHRIS SWAN
CHORUS:
I always thought that I was supposed to try to be perfect,
But when I look up high, the twinkle in your eye,
Tells me that I’m worth it.
’Cuz you love me, completely,
And I see it all around me,
And now I don’t have to try to be perfect anymore.
VERSE 1:
I remember being little writing songs in my room,
And not a single day would go by where I wasn’t consumed,
All I wanted to do and all I wanted to be,
Was a rapper and musician for the world to see.
I needed to be the best, had the love in my chest,
And I was blessed with a family taught me all the rest,
And I guess I learned young I needed everyone to like me,
I just couldn’t handle it if anyone would spite me.
So I went to work just writing them songs,
Practicing piano, making beats,
I couldn’t go wrong.
If I could get to the top then I could show them all,
That I was worth something, hurt couldn’t stop me at all.
All I needed was perfection and no one could ever hurt me,
It’s better than connection and I’d feel like I was worthy,
Surely my plan was tight, I was unstoppable,
It turns out perfection?
It wasn’t even possible.
CHORUS
Da Da Da Da Da…
VERSE 2:
So I grew up to feel like I was a failure at life,
I wasn’t perfect, wasn’t rich or something just wasn’t right,
I had impossible goals and expectations to meet,
And every time I fell short, I felt incomplete.
This turned into years of feeling like I wasn’t good enough,
I wasn’t meant to succeed in rap, I wasn’t hood enough,
Began to hate myself and depression, it soon followed,
Trying so hard to be perfect had left me feeling hallow.
It wasn’t until I hit the bottom and found you,
I started hearing less of the lies and more truth,
The more I heard the more I knew I had nothing I had to prove,
I had one decision to make it was easy to choose,
I chose life, I chose to love who I am,
A flawed human being that’s part of a perfect plan,
I was loved as a kid and now I’m loved as a man,
I hope the songs I write now help you understand.
CHORUS
Da Da Da Da…
And now I don’t have to try to be perfect anymore.
INFLUENCE (FEAT. JARMEL REECE)
BY CHRIS SWAN AND JARMEL REECE
CHORUS:
Everybody want to say that dreams aren't meant to be,
Let's see,
Got a few believers surrounding me,
That is my influence.
And if you want to stay behind and never try,
That's fine,
I'm swimming in dreams that never die,
That is my influence.
VERSE 1:
So many people tell me that I cannot do what I want to do,
What I need to do, what God has told me to, and now I,
See all these people sitting in their misery in Missouri,
And every other state this life has brought me too, but I just,
Can't stand to see these people thinking that their life is over,
All over a girl, a job, a lost one, or not being sober,
And I can't help but thinking if they knew what I knew,
They would see that there's a way out and their suffering could now be over,
See I know what it feels like to be stuck,
Caught in a rut,
Feeling like there's no way to pull yourself up,
So what to do but make the people around you feel your pain,
And then it's just more of the same,
But please hear me, when I say clearly,
To all ya'll dearly, do not get near me,
If you just want to fear me to join your party,
It's a pity that you already ain't with me,
I'm sorry, I'm moving on.
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
Hey, who said because you're black you can't make a difference,
It's like you'd rather go to court instead and got to prison,
But they ain't giving tuitions for being dumb,
Look at what we've become,
The knowledge is deeply rooted,
You can see it in a bum,
I look at my daughter's eyes,
I see the queen that they can be,
My son can be a king,
But his strength depends on me,
And I teach them all right,
And hopefully they will follow,
And they want to be some wives instead of a baby mama, eh,
They see so many things,
This a corrupted nation,
The same sex, gender, sideways sexual relations,
And then they put it on the TV stations,
I ain't here to criticize but just know that these are children's eyes,
They won't get the chance to be what they want to be,
They just see the things they see and they want to be,
But the future of this nation now depends on me,
I'm tired of talking 'bout it now, ya'll can follow me,
Come on.
CHORUS
VERSE 3:
So I keep swimming and swimming,
In all these dreams I've been given,
And keep on living and living,
And looking for all the women and men and children,
Who want to be free,
Like Jarmel and me,
'Cuz we see all the things you don't want to see,
Opportunity's all around, it's in the sound you're hearing right now,
And in your life it abounds,
You gotta fight the feeling that's all around you,
Holding you down, switch it around,
I'm glad we found you, now you're unbound,
So welcome to the sound of possibility,
And the world you see is finally full of positivity,
Ain't it good to be here on the other side and believe,
Now be the influence you want to be,
Let's change the world.
CHORUS 2X
THE MESS AROUND (FEAT. CHELA MANCUSO)
BY CHRIS SWAN AND CHELA MANCUSO
CHORUS:
I don't even miss how it use to be,
Not looking back on what I use to see,
Stronger now than I was before,
You can't take this life from me,
Don't mess around anymore.
VERSE 1:
I don't mess around anymore because I can't afford it,
I mean it literally, I just don't have money for it,
I use to spend so much on alcohol it made me wonder,
Did someone rob my bank and take me out while I was under,
Maybe the strippers that I gave it to would loan it back,
I have a feeling that they have a policy against that,
So here I am with nothing left, don't try it 'till you knock it,
I heard a song about that once, I got Lint In My Pocket,
See The Mess Around done got me nowhere fast,
I had a lot of friends, but never friends who seemed to last,
Always alone and left to roam the grocery store at night,
Looking for food to match my mood and make everything right,
But everything was wrong, I knew that something had to change,
It's funny how this all started as fun and now it's strange,
The more I go down this path, the worse I seem to feel,
So I'm done messing around, I need some time to heal.
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
I don't mess around anymore 'cuz I don't need a hobby,
My days are full of things to do, it's true, ask anybody,
They see me making moves, I choose to use my time more wisely,
I made a change 'cuz it's my thing as if I was an Isley,
Brother, I don't need another reason,
To take my focus off my mission, wishing I had these and those and this and that,
I'm good with what I got,
You ask why?
Well, I use to try a lot.
I use to try to be cool, but then I looked silly,
I use to try to be smart, nobody bought it, really,
I use to try to be in, but always ended out,
I told the world I believed but I was full of doubt,
It wasn't 'till I gave up and stopped trying,
'Cuz I couldn't take it no more, I missed who I was,
And now I know it's enough 'cuz God told me so,
So take your lost and found, I don't mess around no more.
CHORUS
BREAK:
I know don't need the mess around,
I know don't need the mess around,
I know don't need the mess around,
I know don't need the mess around.
VERSE 3:
I don't mess around anymore 'cuz I am finally free,
I don't need to impress you people, I can let it be,
And I don't need to escape and numb my feelings out,
I'm not afraid anymore, yo, you should check this out,
See there's a reason that you're here, just have to take the time,
Be willing, honest and sure to open up your mind,
And when you do, I think it's safe to say you're gonna find,
It's time to leave that mess behind, and time to shine.
CHORUS 2X
PAIN
BY CHRIS SWAN
CHORUS:
All this pain got me fallin', fallin', fallin',
All this pain got me fallin, fallin' again.
VERSE 1:
All this pain got me, right where it wants me,
Where it haunts me, where it holds me down every day and taunts me,
Even though I know I need to shine, need to get out get mine,
Get off my behind,
Every time I do, it's there to remind me that it's gonna hurt,
And it's gonna hurt really bad this time,
There's no way to rewind, go back and do it right this time,
I am the product of all my choices, all the voices I choose to hear,
And the ones that disappear in all the noises of my life,
Full of gain, full of loss, full of pain,
And now I aim to make it right, but now I'm here,
And I'm broken, it's dark and it's hard to see the light,
Every day is a battle of wills,
My body verses me and who's got the skills?
Will I get out of bed, able to walk with a high head,
Or will I need a wheelchair instead?
I have to choose if the joy of sitting down is worth the pain of getting up,
Man, writing that down and saying it out loud feels really messed up,
What happened to my life, man,
Where did it go, how did I get here?
I have ideas, but it isn't clear,
And the only thing I know is that I can't go on like this,
I can survive the pain for many more years,
I'm so sick of the tears, sick of the chain,
Sick of the lies, the loss, the fear,
And sick of the shame,
This ain't a game, it's my life and I want it back,
I'm so sick of the pain.
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
How come we know what to do, but we still don't do it?
We know we have nothing to prove, but we still go through it?
And even though we want to be free, we still don't choose it,
We say "What's wrong with me?" and then we lose it,
How come we know what to say, but we don't say it,
And we know what we weigh, but we down play it,
And when it's time to change, we don't O.K. it,
Because we're scared of the change, but we won't say it.
CHORUS
VERSE 3:
I don't want to be fat, I don't want to be sick,
I don't to be tired, I don't want this to be it,
I don't want this pain to control my life,
I don't want this pain to come and take it,
I don't want to be a victim, I want to gain control,
I want to step up and win back my soul,
I'll never give up and I'll never give in,
I know that's exactly why I'm gonna win,
I deserve a life of joy and health,
I deserve to live and love myself,
Whatever it takes, I will not refrain,
'Cuz I will not be confined to this life of pain.
I deserve a life of joy and health,
I deserve to live and love myself,
Whatever it takes, I will not refrain,
'Cuz I will not be confined to this life of pain.
CHORUS
OUTRO
CREED AND VISION
BY CHRIS SWAN
CHORUS:
I want the confidence to be strong,
But the humility to be wrong,
Not always feel like I have to follow along,
I want to lead and listen,
Have the Creed and Vision.
VERSE1:
I always wanted to be free, I never wanted to be me,
I wanted everyone to see a different, cooler side of me,
I always thought that I should be like someone else,
I never wanted to end up a lonely man, full of pride and fully flaunted,
So I played down my strengths in the name of being humble,
I told everybody thanks and hid away and slowly mumbled,
'Til I finally disappeared into the atmosphere,
Another minute gone, another dawn,
What really happened here?
Now I felt like no one even knew that I was here in the first place,
Hold up, I was trying to make room and not some dead space,
My head space is feeling kinda cloudy these days,
I was trying not to get burned not miss the sun rays,
Yo, it's sideways, I need to learn to stand up, and be strong,
And be heard, and be me, and be wise, and be wrong,
Humility is something earned with time,
I can't give you yours and you can't give me mine.
CHORUS
VERSE2:
I want strength that inspires, confidence that requires,
Hope that feeds choirs to sing and drench fires that burn,
In the souls of human beings that I admire,
With love I send a message that says we don't tire, we fight,
Together strong is our word of love, to those who ain't heard of love,
Sight that's been blurred by love, what we've been speaking of,
Is finding peace now, we need release now,
By finding leaders who can teach how,
To find our mission, in time, our vision,
Beyond our strengths, we giving what it takes,
And what makes us stronger is decision,
Precision timing says the time is here,
To step up and make our mission clear,
And if I volunteer,
I want my head up high, my knees down low,
I want to lead the few or the many who know,
It's out of love and grace that we inhabit this space,
And when it's time to bow out, I'll know.
CHORUS 2X
TAG:
It's ok to know our strength,
It's ok to know our weakness,
We use our weakness to make each other stronger,
'Cuz if one shines, we all shine longer.
H.O.P.E.
BY CHRIS SWAN
CHORUS:
I think we all could use some hope,
If you just open your eyes you’ll see it’s not so hard to cope,
With the bad now, if you see it somehow,
Can’t you feel the hope,
And if you want it then you got to give it,
Hope, hope.
VERSE1:
I think we all could use some hope,
Sometimes the light grows dim,
And I’ve been feeling it hide and feeling dirty inside,
I need some soap,
If I drink it all down will it help me drown the pain?
That sounds insane, I’m thinking nope,
There’s got to be a way to take these shades of grey,
And turn them into a ray of hope, hope.
See, I’ve been reading these Facebook conversations getting out of hand,
One dude trying to show love while 30 kill his plan,
And we just want to be right because we know we can,
But how does being right prove anything other than showing the world we up on high on our righteous stand?
How about instead of talking we start listening?
Hearing what each other’s feeling before jumping in,
Can you imagine what might just start happening?
Hope again.
CHORUS
VERSE2:
You don’t have to close your eyes no more,
Just look and see the dream you wished for.
You don’t have to close your eyes no more,
Just look and see the dream you wished for.
CHORUS
VERSE3:
White cop, black kid,
“Look at what you people did!”
Hands up, lines drawn,
Choose your side but don’t choose wrong,
We created a war we can’t win,
Where everybody’s out but nobody’s in,
It’s not black and white or right and wrong,
These are complex times,
New artist, same song,
By drawing lines in the sand we stop hearing the truth,
We start making things up, our logic is bulletproof,
But see if you’re always right that means I’m always wrong,
And there’s no way to find peace in these goings on,
The only way we win is making love come first,
Love for you and me and our best and our worst,
And when we start to love each other that’s when we are truly set free,
We can open our eyes and see hope,
Hope.
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Principles
By Chris Swan
© 2019 Soul Motivation Records
Abundance
By Chris Swan
CHORUS:
I don’t need another dollar,
I got enough of it, why bother to be,
On a leash and a collar,
Just trying to keep up, you see,
I don’t need another lover,
I got enough love surrounding me,
I want to give it to another,
‘Cuz there’s plenty to go around,
I’m living abundantly.
VERSE1:
I use to think that I was broke and had nothing to give,
I thought I never would succeed in this life and live,
The rest of all my days broke in lonely solitude,
Asking for change from every woman and child and dude,
I thought my life was a joke and God was laughing at me,
I thought that everyone was in on it, slap happy,
While I was doomed from day one, I should call it quits,
But really, deep down inside, I knew this wasn’t it.
Somebody told me it’s a choice and I LOL’d,
Peace be held, I could never be well,
But then I started thinking, what if it’s true and all I had to do was choose,
I knew I had nothing to lose,
I started telling myself that I was rich,
Had all the money, love and opportunity which,
Led to seeing things different and starting to change,
And then it all started to rearrange, now I can say…
CHORUS
VERSE2:
I was sick and tired of being so sick and tired,
I knew that I would expire if I didn’t start thinking higher,
My mind was still on fire from living life as a liar,
I had to start telling truth or I might as well retire,
I remembered life as a youth and how I lived in wonder,
If I could get that back, I could keep from going under,
So I focused on love and light, a new attitude,
Getting up every day and focusing on gratitude,
Thankful for those who love me,
Thankful for food to eat,
I got a bed to sleep on and got shoes on my feet.
And I got life and purpose and all this music too,
Why did it take so long now for me to see the truth?
My life is crazy blessed, just had to choose to see,
And once I did I started living life abundantly.
My life is crazy blessed, just had to choose to see,
And once I did I started living life abundantly.
CHORUS (2X)
Gratitude
By Chris Swan
VERSE1:
Talk about life as a miserable existence
That was me before I started to change
Everything around me wasn’t enough and I couldn’t believe it
It seemed pretty strange
But it all makes so much sense when I look at it
20 plus 20 is vision of fame
I guess I know now what I didn’t know then
And I didn’t know how to call it by name
Gratitude is more than just a change of attitude
It’s also a change of your latitude
If you can come down from your platitudes
And join us down here then the magnitude
Of love and success will be nothing, no less
Than a miracle, guess what I’m gonna say next
Ok I confess
Gratitude shows us how much we are blessed
CHORUS:
Whatever you see is gonna be there
Whatever you do is gonna come true
Whatever you find rest your mind in
Gratitude
VERSE2:
Back when I was bitter and ungrateful I didn’t try
Never could see past what happened last
My lies multiplied
Looking at my life was like a grave, but I hadn’t died
Yet in physical form, but it was my norm to stay dead inside
I needed to try, I needed to live
I needed a life I could give more
I needed to see, I needed to be
What was created in me
For the good of the young, the good of the old
And everybody in between
You’re part of the crew so all that I do is also for you
And it all came from
Gratitude is more than just a change of attitude
It’s also a change of your latitude
If you can come down from your platitudes
And join us down here then the magnitude
Of love and success will be nothing, no less,
Than a miracle, guess what I’m gonna say next
Ok I confess
Gratitude shows us how much we are blessed
CHORUS:
Whatever you see is gonna be there
Whatever you do is gonna come true
Whatever you find rest your mind in
Gratitude
Wherever you go you’re gonna get there
Whatever you know can never compare
To ways that we grow from a little
Gratitude
Whatever you see is gonna be there
Whatever you do is gonna come true
Whatever you find rest your mind in
Gratitude
VERSE3:
Now that I look for the good in my life
I know everything now will never be the same
I am so blessed with abundance of love and success
That it just puts the old me to shame
Look around you, really look for the good
And the love it is there if you just want to see
And if you can’t find it, you feel all alone
Then remember my song, you can reach out to me ‘cuz
Gratitude is more than just a change of attitude
It’s also a change of your latitude
If you can come down from your platitudes
And join us down here then the magnitude
Of love and success will be nothing, no less,
Than a miracle, guess what I’m gonna say next
Ok I confess
Gratitude shows us how much we are blessed
CHORUS:
Whatever you see is gonna be there
Whatever you do is gonna come true
Whatever you find rest your mind in
Gratitude
Wherever you go you’re gonna get there
Whatever you know can never compare
To ways that we grow from a little
Gratitude
Whatever you see is gonna be there
Whatever you do is gonna come true
Whatever you find rest your mind in
Gratitude
Wherever you go you’re gonna get there
Whatever you know can never compare
To ways that we grow from a little
Gratitude
ACCEPTANCE
BY CHRIS SWAN
CHORUS:
Accepting you, accepting me
Is how we learn to let it be
I can’t change you, I can change me
And that’s the way to serenity
VERSE1:
All of my problems come from trying to fix situations
I always think that changing things will change my elevation
I tend to live inside that “happy when” mentality
Instead of looking at myself and my reality
See I get miserable when I can’t get someone to change
I’ll bang my head against the wall and blame them for my pain
But that’s just crazy putting all my joy on someone else
It doesn’t come from anyone but God and then myself
If I can learn to let you be the person that you be
And let go of my false beliefs and insecurities
Then I can start to accept you
And learn to accept whoever else may come my way
Give them impunity
And take a break from all this pressure and this lunacy
And find my way back to this beautiful community
It all starts with me practicing acceptance
I’ll try it once I finish this sentence
CHORUS
VERSE2:
Acceptance is the key to my ongoing freedom
It’s the answer to destroy my fears instead of feed ‘em
And it’s the reason I can stand and face the day ahead
It’s the way to get rid of the voices in my head
The ones that tell me to erupt in anger and defeat
The ones that tell me that no one will ever like my beats
The ones that tell me stuff like I should give up and cheat
Or the ones that tell me all I need to do is eat
Those are lies but, see, acceptance it brings the truth
Open your eyes and then acceptance will offer you
A second chance at some relentless joy and peace
And let your happiness increase
CHORUS
BREAK
VERSE3:
Acceptance is the answer to all of my problems
When I’m disturbed it’s only because I can’t seem to solve ‘em
I find some person, place or thing or even situation
Unacceptable to me it breaks my meditation
Until I can accept these things the way they truly are
I’ll find no peace wherever I may look, here or afar,
Things are the way they’re supposed to be, that’s the truth that I take
Nothing absolutely nothing happens to me by mistake
CHORUS 2X
SERVE
BY CHRIS SWAN
I am not…
Just can’t stop…
Not on top…
All of me, serving you
VERSE 1:
When I first opened my eyes, life was my prize
And it was all there for me
And I knew I could never be wrong ‘cuz being was right,
And beings were right there for me
Everything part of my game, everyone called me by name,
I was the king and the ring on my finger was sweet
I sat on my seat, too good to wash my own feet
I had a lady for that, matter of fact,
She fed me and burped me ‘cuz I was all that
Top of the world, top of the chain
Top of the shelf and top of the game
To say I was playing, it sounded insane
As I grew up everything seemed to change
Less people worshipped me, there goes my fame
My kingdom was crumbling, so was my reign
And now I’m the same as everyone else
I feel like a CD that’s not on the shelf
I’m stuck in a bin that’s full of bargains
I’m one of so many, how can I begin
To live a new life, to find a new way
If I’m not being served what is my play
I spent so much time looking out for the one
Did it give me joy or peace?
I’d say none
So now what to do, I guess I must change
To get down and serve another seems strange
But maybe my answer is all in my knees
Life is so empty with no one to please
I am not this thing I’ve turned into
Maybe my answer is all in my knees
Life is so empty with no one to please
CHORUS:
I am not what I’ve turned into
‘Cuz I just can’t stop from hurting you
If you’re not on top of my to-do
Because all of me should be serving you
I don’t care if I’m out my mind
And a here or there is hard to find
‘Cuz I know I can never hit rewind
So I’ll find the time to start serving you
VERSE 2:
Life is not about pride, staying inside
Never letting someone ride along
Singing your song, all on your own
Empty and longing to roam
Aimlessly, shamelessly pushing your neighbor away
Not doing work, being a jerk
Trying so hard to keep yourself hurt
To keep yourself on full alert
But here is what life is about, there is no doubt
That serving another can bring your life meaning and purpose and joy
And help you employ love in your life
We only get back what we give
Matter of fact it comes back to us in so many ways
How many days would it take to list them all
Let us being with
One – it gets us out of our head,
Out of ourselves and out of our bed
Two – it changes the world
Affecting a few could send out a ripple or two
Three – it makes us feel good, more understood
Useful and part of the world
And four – so many more things come to mind
So it shouldn’t be hard to find
A reason today to serve someone in some way
Whether it’s small or big, the reason remains the same
Nothing will change if we do not change the game
And you are not this thing you’ve turned into
The world really needs people like you
So let’s see what you can do
CHORUS
BREAK
CHORUS
I am not…
Just can’t stop…
Not on top…
All of me, serving you
Believe
By Chris Swan
If I want to achieve
Then I gotta believe
Some days it’s harder than others
And I just can’t find my druthers
I’m looking for it in others
And looking’s killing me
I used to feel like the truth
It disappeared with my youth
And now I feel so uncouth
Like no one’s feeling me
How many times should I try
Looking up to the sky
Been asking all the clouds why
I’ve hit the ceiling free
At 42 am I done
I feel like I’ve just begun
Is it too late to become
All that I’m supposed to be
Every time I listen to the people around
I feel like panic has found me
And I just can’t handle the bounty, but,
Every time I listen to the truth that you show me
Then I feel destiny own me
And I just can’t wait to get on and believe
If I want to achieve, then I gotta believe
‘Cuz I can never conceive of all the things that I need to be
‘Cuz it’s never what it seems
If I could ever let go of all the things that I know
Open up and behold all that’s yet to unfold for me
This is the life of my dreams
‘Cuz I believe
Some days it’s harder than others
To open up and discover
Another way to recover
When my emotions are ruling
Puling me in a million directions
I feel I’m out of protection
My day is full of rejections
Every single time I reach for my solution, it’s gone,
My resolution is strong
But what if one day I’m wrong
And then the fear grips me
I panic and then it trips me
I lose sight of what gets me
Give in and get tipsy
What would I do when?
Who would I be then?
With another drink in me
Back to my old friend
This cycle again
I’d go from 0 to 10 and it probably would kill me
I know it would because what filled me no longer thrilled me
It may sound silly to some but not to anyone who knows
The way that it goes once it has begun
The panic it grows and that’s when true colors are shown
But I know that I’m never alone
If I want to achieve, then I gotta believe
‘Cuz I can never conceive of all the things that I need to be
‘Cuz it’s never what it seems
If I could ever let go of all the things that I know
Open up and behold all that’s yet to unfold for me
This is the life of my dreams
‘Cuz I believe
Perseverance
By Chris Swan
VERSE1:
I used to wonder why I never won
Always the number that’s before one
I came from under, it wasn’t fun
I came from under, ‘cuz I never run
My perseverance is what got me here
It’s perseverance that will take me there
CHORUS:
With perseverance you get along,
It’s perseverance that makes you strong,
With perseverance where e’er you roam
It’s perseverance that will get you home
VERSE2:
Want something different? I found the key
To go the distance just follow me
My perseverance is what strengthens me
Your perseverance will set you free
CHORUS 2X
Community
By Chris Swan
An island of one is a smile to none…
High on the sun
Defeating the heat and keeping petite
This revelation is complete
But too sweet not to repeat
…defiling fun
While everybody’s high on the sun
Defeating the heat and keeping petite
This revelation is complete
Every one of us needs to be in community,
With ourselves, our fellows, God
Yes dutifully
But we also just need a gang of people ruthlessly
Holding us up, cheering us on, beautifully
We need an army to fight these battles
Pushing our cage, these rattles
No need to engage these tattles
The tales we tell will inspire generations to come
About the power of one, nah
The power of some
Where two are gathered, so many more are sure to follow
There’s no feeling hollow
And no time to wallow
It’s show time at the Apollo
The Sandman is sleeping in
Hands are clapping
Your fam is just happening
God and you and the chosen few
Make up a gang or two
When all you had to do
Reach out a hand and a hand will reach back
Community makes up for what you lack
I think about it every now and then
Could I ever survive this life without a friend
Staring down that lonely road of life again
Knowing I’ve been a fool
What about a life of unity
Full of love and life and community
Never having to run from the truth I see
That there’s more of me in you
Every time we need some unity
You and me can come around to our community
Immunity is something that we hardly ever see
‘Cuz of every one of us needs to be in community
Truthfully
An island of one is a smile to none
A mile to run, defiling fun
While everybody’s high on the sun
Defeating the heat and keeping petite
This revelation is complete
But too sweet not to repeat
An island of one is a smile to none
A mile to run, defiling fun
While everybody’s high on the sun
Defeating the heat and keeping petite
This revelation is complete
I think about it every now and then
Could I ever survive this life without a friend
Staring down that lonely road of life again
Knowing I’ve been a fool
What about a life of unity
Full of love and life and community
Never having to run from the truth I see
That there’s more of me in you
Nesting
By Chris Swan
CHORUS:
After a hard day of flying so far,
I want to come back to where you are
‘Cuz it’s best with you,
I just wanna nest with you.
After the world has taken everything,
I wanna find myself beneath your wing,
And rest with you,
Our little nest will do.
VERSE1:
Every time I stop and close my eyes,
It reminds me I have paradise,
Waiting for me now,
I just gotta to you somehow,
I know you’re out there waiting for the day,
Your prince will show up and take you away,
But up ‘till now, you’ve been alone somehow
When I was little I used to think that love would come easy
I’d find the one quick, wife up, then it’d be breezy,
Just find the girl who most often liked to tease me,
Chase her around and tell her jokes until she sees me,
I tried a few times, the best girls could never please me,
I would walk away before anyone could leave me,
I was afraid of the pain I thought would freeze me,
Only thinking about me and not maybe she needs me,
And here I am, the only one left in this nest,
The others have flown away going south with the rest,
Not really sure what is supposed to happen next,
But I’m a keep on hoping and looking out for the best,
The point is I’m home now and ready to try,
And I’ll keep looking for you flying up in the sky,
And if you happen to need a little place to land,
Our nest will be waiting, just hit me up when you can.
CHORUS
VERSE2:
I look around and see everyone out here is still nesting,
I feel like I’m the only one who’s out here still guessing,
The world is someone else’s land and I’m trespassing,
Maybe love is just like food and I’m fasting,
Even though I know I have love that’s everlasting,
I can’t help but wonder if you’re out there and you’re asking,
The same questions as me
While time keeps on passing,
I know we’re not meant to nest alone,
But it keeps passing and passing…
Every time I stop and close my eyes,
It reminds me I have paradise
Waiting for me now, I just gotta get to you somehow
And if you’re out there waiting for that day,
I’m here to tell you that I’m on my way
With my best for you
I just want to nest with you
CHORUS 2X
Ambition
By Chris Swan
CHORUS:
It’s Ambition that keeps us alive,
Everybody wants but nobody tries,
The difference between them and those who fly,
Is taking the jump instead of giving up,
If you want to truly live your life,
It may take a little sacrifice,
But you can get yourself to paradise,
If you just stop wishin’ and follow your ambition.
VERSE1:
I knew it ever since I was a little kid,
Who I wanted to be no matter what I did,
My mind was free from me, I never hid,
Hadn’t learned to hate myself yet, so I never did,
See I believed in the world around me,
And all the opportunity that found me,
The darkness hadn’t grabbed and bound me,
So I believed in myself soundly,
I started a band and performed shows,
The dream begins and the dream grows,
But things fall apart and we can’t stop it,
I tried so hard but I couldn’t top it,
I gave up and I gave in,
And my bitterness it just sank in,
I became just another victim,
And my heart broke and my dreams dimmed,
I began to drink more and create less,
My hope was gone and I was dreamless,
It was easier to give up, it seemed less,
Of a risk to disappear be seen less,
That’s how I ended up at 505,
Miserable, depressed, and dead inside,
Without something to live for we won’t survive,
It’s ambition that keeps us alive.
Ambition…
VERSE2:
I felt death knocking on my door,
I just couldn’t take the bait or wait for,
Fate or hate myself more,
“Too late” negates the whole war,
The battle, who wants to win more,
Death or the life that I was made for,
I had to let go and let God in,
I had 12 steps and I needed a win,
I began to dream again,
I started to see the plan that God had me in,
I was tired of wasting time,
And it was time to step up and begin again,
That’s when I found my Soul Motivation,
Found my stride, stepped on in,
Began to write songs and breath again,
Speaking truth from within,
I know so many people are struggling,
They need to hear that there’s hope again,
And that’s what gets me up in the A.M.,
To take this message to all of them,
‘Cuz all of us were given truth,
You have a purpose inside of you,
And you only have one job to do,
Go find it, the world is waiting for you.
Ambition…
CHORUS (3X)
Education
By Chris Swan
VERSE 1:
Everybody tells me that I’m crazy cuz I read so much,
All I want to do is listen to some podcasts, out of touch?
Nah, I just know exactly how I want to spend my time,
Give me an audiobook, a pen and paper I’ll be fine,
I’m always reading books and talking about what I just read,
I’m thinking Facebook Ads and purple cows, I’m out my head,
But that’s ok cuz it’s the way I want to live my life,
It reminds me of something my father told me once or twice
CHORUS:
Live like you’re gonna die tomorrow and learn like you’re gonna live forever,
Like you’re gonna live forever, cuz you’re gonna live forever,
So live
VERSE 2:
My whole life I used to feel so so stupid when I talked,
Trying to think of words to say say I felt so awkward,
Trying to make small talk, please no politics,
And if you start talking sports I’m out and that’s just it,
I want to connect with people just like anyone else,
But public places always make me want to scream for help,
But then I thought “What if I learn some fancy things to say?”
I started reading and then then I got carried away,
I started learning all this stuff I thought was really cool,
Not to impress anyone else, maybe I missed school?
I missed growing and learning and dreaming and all in one,
And that’s what learning did, remind me that my life was fun,
I started making plans and setting goals, my life could change,
I wasn’t trapped anymore, at first it felt strange,
The more I learn the more I see the life in front of me,
And that makes living what it’s supposed to be
You gotta…
CHORUS:
Live like you’re gonna die tomorrow and learn like you’re gonna live forever,
Like you’re gonna live forever, cuz you’re gonna live forever,
So live like you’re gonna die tomorrow and learn like you’re gonna live forever,
Like you’re gonna live forever, cuz you gotta live and learn
VERSE 3:
Now I’m not saying I’m the smartest dude in the shed,
See I just messed up that analogy that I just said,
But what I am saying is learning it will give you hope,
It will open up your eyes and it will help you cope,
It will show you that this life is full of mystery,
It’s full of love, luck, stories, opportunity
More than ok it’s the way I want to live my life,
From here on out you might hear me say once or twice…
CHORUS
Generosity
By Chris Swan
I hold on tight don’t want to let it go
‘Cuz if I do I might begin to let it show
All of my fear has come to stay
There’s got to be another way
If I look up and I begin to fly
Would anyone know the reason why
All of my fear has gone away
By giving I get another day
I try so hard but I can’t believe
That you and I are just meant to be
In different times and realities
When we’re both here right now, you see
I want to know what’s in your mind
What you love and what you find
Each day you travel through this shrine
But we don’t seem to find the time
I don’t see you and you don’t see me
When we’re trapped inside
You could be me and I could be you
It’s just a matter of time
I hold on tight don’t want to let it go
‘Cuz if I do I might begin to let it show
All of my fear has come to stay
There’s got to be another way
If I look up and I begin to fly
Would anyone know the reason why
All of my fear has gone away
By giving I get another day
What will it take for us to change
To share our joy and share our pain
To take the time right now feels strange
We can’t keep on doing the same
Everything I have is a gift
I wouldn’t have it if it wasn’t given to me
Everything I see is a lift
I wouldn’t be this high if God wasn’t with me
Every day I live is a chance
And I wouldn’t get it if I didn’t listen to the truth that is all around
Blocking out the lies
And I hate the sound of fear in disguise
Here’s what I found
See, you and I are pretty much the same being
Sometimes we’re up and sometimes we’re down
But if you look around you can see it’s the same thing
The world will make you lonely if you let it
It took some time for me to get it
You can’t just set it and forget it
‘Cuz we need each other
Bet it
I don’t see you and you don’t see me
When we’re trapped inside
You could be me and I could be you
It’s just a matter of time
I hold on tight don’t want to let it go
‘Cuz if I do I might begin to let it show
All of my fear has come to stay
There’s got to be another way
If I look up and I begin to fly
Would anyone know the reason why
All of my fear has gone away
By giving I get another day
By giving I get another day
By giving I get another day
By giving I get another day
By giving I get another day
Forgiveness
By Chris Swan
Forgiveness
Why can’t I forgive you in an instant?
Why is it that I am so resistant?
My love’s still here, but anger fears persistently
I love you
I spend too much time just thinking of you
But right now everyone is far above you
I need to understand all that you’ve gone through now
I don’t know what you’ve been told
No one has a heart of gold
People they will always let you down
But that don’t mean the worst is true
The world is not out to get you
But we can still turn this all around
With…
Forgiveness
If I let go will you still know I’m in this
How much I care, how much I dare to win this
All the love we need is still within us now
I don’t know what you’ve been told
No one has a heart of gold
People they will always let you down
But that don’t mean the worst is true
The world is not out to get you
But we can still turn this all around
With…
Forgiveness
Why can’t I forgive you in an instant?
Why is it that I am so resistant?
There’s no more fear and I am here to love you now