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Words from the artist’s archive
Under the Cape lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
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Intro
Clipper buzz, bell on the door, keys in low Gate roll up, yesterday’s hair in a slow broom row First chair ready, mirror still got last night’s fog Same shop jokes, same saints, same scars talkin' soft
Verse 1
Old head slid in, said "keep the gray, just edge me clean" Talked blood pressure, two empty seats where his dogs had been I lined his taper, he stared past me through the glass Said funerals come too quick when your block age fast Sports on mute, morning hosts arguing city trades He laughed one time, then got quiet at his widow's fade Hot towel, straight razor, little pat on the chin Bell rang, whole new wave of hurt just walked back in
Pre-chorus
Under the cape, truth get loose Jokes in the room, pain in the roots Mirror don't lie when the lineup crisp Whole shop hear what the mouth first missed
Chorus
It ain't just a haircut, nah, this more than a fade Same chair, same cape, whole breakdown get saved You come for the edge-up, leave with your shoulders unbraced It ain't just a haircut, we heal a little under the cape Under the cape, under the cape Whole lot get eased under the cape
Verse 2
Young boy sat tense, county blues still in his walk Baby due in July, said jobs vanish when they hear him talk Other chair cracked jokes, "boy, you booked or you just outside?" I saw panic in his grin, fear tucked behind his pride So I brushed his temple, said "breathe, don't crash for the lane" Told him slow money still money when you dodging more pain No license on my wall, just game from cuts and grief But sometimes a clean part line give a man one week relief
Pre-chorus
Under the cape, hearts unthread Big loud laughs, small dark thoughts get said Clipper hum like a confession booth Few sharp words can steady youth
Chorus
It ain't just a haircut, nah, this more than a fade Same chair, same cape, whole breakdown get saved You come for the edge-up, leave with your shoulders unbraced It ain't just a haircut, we heal a little under the cape Under the cape, under the cape Whole lot get eased under the cape
Verse 3
Mom brought her son for a shape-up before school pictures Eyes tired, said two jobs got her living by split shifts One dude too loud with his street tales, hands still shook College shorty going back uptown, scared of the looks That's when I peeped it, neck hit the cape, guards slip Folks act steel out there, then melt in the grip Shop stayed late some nights just to stop one bad ride Kept the lights on and the domino talk till danger passed by
Bridge
Keys got lonely, clipper stopped, room felt thin One client asked me, "How you holdin' up, twin?" Caught me raw, I been jokin' through my own rain Pouring everybody out, going home with the stain So I pinned up flyers by the price list and grease Talk night next month, grief, fatherhood, stress, peace
Verse 4
Truth is my cousin checked out and I still cut through the ache Smiled through appointments, hand steady while my chest would shake I know how to part hair, not always how to part sorrow Been the strong one so long I kept renting tomorrow But that question hit different than a tip in the jar Made me look at my own eyes in the mirror for once, hard First chair ain't a pulpit, barber ain't no doc Still, pride can kill a man quicker than a busted clock
Verse 5
Now every first Thursday, extra folding chairs outside Same roast jokes, same fades, but more truth in the vibe Teen talked school stress, OG spoke names he still missed Young moms swapped numbers, one father finally hugged his kid I still say "next up," still sweep curls by the stand Still tap the cape twice when I need folks to understand Healing start regular, one chair, one laugh, one check-in deep And ask the one who always listen if he's getting sleep
Chorus
It ain't just a haircut, nah, this more than a fade Same chair, same cape, whole breakdown get saved You come for the edge-up, leave with your shoulders unbraced It ain't just a haircut, we heal a little under the cape Under the cape, under the cape Whole lot get eased under the cape
Outro
Bell on the door, last laugh, gate roll down slow Clippers in the drawer, warm dust in the gold light glow Same shop tomorrow, same city, same weight But we carry it different now, under the cape
Inside the recording
Clipper buzz, bell on the door, keys in low Gate roll up, yesterday’s hair in a slow broom row
Under the cape, truth get loose Jokes in the room, pain in the roots
Bell on the door, last laugh, gate roll down slow Clippers in the drawer, warm dust in the gold light glow
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.