Time ticks the tempo and we provide the testament
Planet in the palm, it’s all of our possession
Needed bravery cut the artery bleed compassion set the precedent
Mold the mind to make a move to major mass confession
Far too many people living life with so much privilege
Moral obligation got ‘em looking like they’re savages, it’s sacrilege
Pen in the pocket, pull it out, re-write the narrative
Expose the shame, respect the rest and all that’s left is let the other live
Our mental state has gotten so congested
Things around us just gotta be contested
Our mind and thoughts just constantly infected
Before too long we gettin’ disrespected
Dismissed, disjointed, dislocated, disaffected
Contempt, confusion, common sense always rejected
Peace hard to come by everything always so hectic
This world is breaking and we’re standin’ there and lettin’ it

Racism, militarism, and mass commercialism
Sexism always turn into sectarian schisms
Preaching and teaching becomes commodified religion
Screaming for hours and ain’t said nothin’
Sure commitment turned into sure bluffin’
Slick sick politic, dirty game, clever clip
Hate my skin, blood and brick
Throw the mud and then it stick
Seeing thru your tired tricks
That twitter feed; its food’s poisonous
Delete your domain within 3 clicks
Too often words are worthless and found cheap
But others count for something, when they’re spoken let ‘em speak
Hear these words spoken on an ancient mount
Thunder clap, earth shatter, ground rumble hear the sound

There the poor are always blessed
Never shot before arrested
Not detested, not suspected
Found guilty facing federal correction
And the meek they inherit the entire earth
North, south, east, west, that’s blessed, not cursed
If these words become the catalyst of incarnation
Liberation for our spiritual incarceration
Then nine beats to a bar is the rhythm of regeneration
Re-creation, right now in this generation

Last thing we need is a lesson or some other sermon
When brothers and sisters are beaten like vermin
Shot in the back no conviction no justice emergin’
Hope seems so tired, deflated and mired
I can’t believe that this mission is dead
When I keep hearin’ nine beats drummin’ in my head

Spare me all your kind words and your pleasantries
Don’t expect my gratitude, a grin, or my sympathy
Tired of hearing the same song, same platitudes
Can’t recognize your simplistic self-centered attitudes
That “we’re all screwed attitude”
I long for that fully “finally free” attitude
That “you and me” attitude
A “love is winning, even when you can’t see it” attitude
That “fly to the sky reaching all and any altitude”
The 9 beats to a bar type attitude
That “we can find it, we can free it, we can be” attitude

Last thing we need is a lesson or some other sermon
When brothers and sisters are beaten like vermin
Shot in the back no conviction no justice emergin’
Hope seems so tired, deflated and mired
I can’t believe that this mission is dead
When I keep hearin’ nine beats drummin’ in my head
I keep hearin’ nine beats drummin’ in my head
I keep hearin’ nine beats drummin’ in my head
I keep hearin’ nine beats drummin’ in my head