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Words from the artist’s archive
THE LINE AT 79th 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
Rain tapping the windshield like it know what I’m thinking Phone buzzing in my lap, another name I ain’t answering I been holding this line since the first time they tested A man’s got to have a code...
Verse 1
Carol City nights, I-95 humming like a warning Red light at 79th stay longer than it used to They pulling up asking questions I already answered in my head I keep my eyes on the road and my mouth where it belong Little man at home drawing on the fridge with the last magnet I told him I’d be back before the lights cut again Rent due Friday, lights already talking But the code don’t bend for a disconnect notice
Chorus
A man’s got to have a code Even when the rain don’t stop and the lights keep flickering I can lose the lights, I can lose the ride I ain’t losing who I said I’d be when the pressure hit A man’s got to have a code Even when they offering everything to watch it break I can take the loss, I can take the case I ain’t taking the line I drew in the sand and calling it rain
Verse 2
They pulled up with the bag and the story already written Said it’s easy money, just a ride, just a name I seen what happened to the last one who folded for less Now his mama walking past me at the store like I don’t exist I got mouths that depend on me keeping my word Even when the word don’t pay the light bill this month Temptation got a voice that sound like relief But relief don’t last when the code is already gone
Chorus
A man’s got to have a code Even when the rain don’t stop and the lights keep flickering I can lose the lights, I can lose the ride I ain’t losing who I said I’d be when the pressure hit A man’s got to have a code Even when they offering everything to watch it break I can take the loss, I can take the case I ain’t taking the line I drew in the sand and calling it rain
Verse 3
Mirror in the bathroom got a crack from the last time I slipped I been staring at it every night since the offer came Asking myself if the code is still worth the price Or if I’m just scared of becoming the man I used to judge The rain hit the window like it’s laughing at the question I already know the answer I just needed to hear it out loud in my own voice
Verse 4
They came back with more money and a picture of my son Said they know where he play after school I felt the code crack for half a second Then I remembered who taught me what a man supposed to be I told them the same thing I told the last ones And the ones before that The line don’t move because the rain got heavier
Chorus
A man’s got to have a code Even when the rain don’t stop and the lights keep flickering I can lose the lights, I can lose the ride I ain’t losing who I said I’d be when the pressure hit A man’s got to have a code Even when they offering everything to watch it break I can take the loss, I can take the case I ain’t taking the line I drew in the sand and calling it rain
Verse 5
Now the lights off and the rain still falling Son sleeping on the couch with his drawing still up I told him the truth tonight Told him sometimes the code cost everything you got But the man who fold lose more than the lights He lose the mirror He lose the right to look his son in the eye And tell him the rain don’t decide who we are
Outro
Rain still tapping Lights still off But the code still on.
Inside the recording
Rain tapping the windshield like it know what I’m thinking Phone buzzing in my lap, another name I ain’t answering
A man’s got to have a code Even when the rain don’t stop and the lights keep flickering
Rain still tapping Lights still off
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.