all Ithaka (aka Darin Pappas/Korvorowng) lyrics
published by: RAVENSHARK MUSIC-ASCAP
(administered by Memory Lane Music, NY)
www.ithaka.cc / sweatlodgerecords@hotmail.com
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1. SAME ROOM BLUES
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
Six months in the same room
Same smelly carpet, same cracked window
A broken hot plate, that's what I got
And an old bed with springs that pop
when you're trying to snooze
Chinese noodles in the cupboard
Half-empty beers in the fridge
And a couple of porno mags
with their pages ripped
The roaches all have names
AL and Hank. Frank...and of course Tank
That fat-ass roach with his
beer gut hanging out
Mofo always comes back for more
Nailed him with a nudie mag
On the kitchenette floor
But wounded, he escaped under the fridge
And now Tank is back
Back for more
crumbs of noodles and drops of beer
On the kitchenette floor.
Six months in the same room.
Same smelly carpet.
same cracked window
SAME ROOM BLUES
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2. DINE 'n' DASH
lyrics and music by: Ithaka c. 2004
School got out early. We was broke and starving.
None of us had a dime. It was me, Clyde and Marvin
Got an idea, I said. Let's pull a dine n dash.
The obvious alternative when you ain't got cash
BOB's BIG BOY, the spot for dine n dash pimps.
It's easy to get out, they got them Jumbo shrimps
It was lunch hour the place was packed
Our waitress Rita, hadda beautiful face n nice rack
Marvin had steak and Clyde had fish fries
I had them jumbo shrimp,
But couldn't take my mind of Rita's thighs
The food wasn't too bad
but something else was on my mind
how could we leave a girl like Rita
stuck with the bill...that ain't kind.
AROUND THE TABLE AND OUT THE DOOR
SNEAKERS SQEAKING ACROSS A BOB'S BIG BOY FLOOR
YOU GOTTA RUN FAST WHEN YOU DINE N DASH
THE OBVIOUS ALTERNATIVE WHEN YOU AIN'T GOT CASH
People started leaving. Our time was running out.
A get-away was in order,(but)there was no easy route.
infatuated with Rita. I did not want to cheat her.
would've washed dishes for a month, done anything to please her
I know it's kinda corny, but I gave my testimony
yes, a begging her to join me in holy matrimony
Marry you? No,I don't think so, she replied
And by the way your bill comes out to twenty-six, sixty-five
AROUND THE TABLE AND OUT THE DOOR
SNEAKERS SQUEAKING ACROSS A BOB'S BIG BOY FLOOR
YOU GOTTA RUN FAST WHEN YOU DINE N DASH 2x
THE OBVIOUS ALTERNATIVE WHEN YOU AIN'T GOT CASH
Heart-broken, I asked for another side of fries
And when she turned to go get 'em,
I said, Come on, let's get out of here guys.
Around the table and out the door
Sneakers sqeaking across a Bob's Big Boy floor.
Marvin went left and Clyde went right
And I was the blue tornado, yes a spinnin' out a sight
But behind my back, almost on my heels
Was lovely Rita running after me with the bill.
She said, stop rude boy in the name of the law
you're going to the pound the be feathered and tarred
But I kept right on running and she kept right on chasing
Close enough to smell her perfume, I could swear it was Poisen
Then BAMM!!! I tripped in the gutter fell on my face
Rita landed on my back it was the end of the race
Then she put her arm around me and whispered in my ear
you want to get my number you can't eat and run dear
But she never went back to work and the cops never came
And me and Rita been together since that Dine N Dash day
AROUND THE TABLE AND OUT THE DOOR
SNEAKERS SQEAKING ACROSS A BOB'S BIG BOY FLOOR
YOU GOTTA RUN FAST WHEN YOU DINE N DASH 2x
THE OBVIOUS ALTERNATIVE WHEN YOU AIN'T GOT CASH
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3. WHO'S YOUR DADDY?
lyrics and music: ithaka c. 2004
Who's your daddy? who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
Who's your daddy, who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
She come from a typical family of five
a mother and four daughters trying to survive
her pop left the coupe before she was ONE
dropped a sperm cell and thought the job was done
her sisters are all from different fathers
and on their birthdays their fathers didn't bother
to send them a note, or to give 'em a call
they never see their girls who have grown so tall
don't know her daddy's face from his feet
was he that thug this morning on the street?
Is he dead or alive, she don't know
Is he broke, alone or does he got dough?
Who's your daddy, who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
Who's your daddy, who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
Is her daddy in prison or is he free?
Or Is he the bum who begged from me
To buy a crumb to eat or to get a coat
or will he use the coins to buy drink and dope
he may be her father, but he sure ain't a friend
And she don't care if she ever see him again
cuz where was he when she needed?
But still made through, and now deep seeded
Moms told her daddy died in a war
But who was that man last night at the door
telling mom can't get her out his mind
even in her room she could smell his breath of wine
Who's your daddy, who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
Can't be the only ones, she must have others
how many sisters? how many brothers?
Does she have kin she will never meet?
walkin' down the alley in their bare feet
Cuz daddy left them like he left me
not caring if we live or if we bleed
So forget you daddy...I ain't your little kiddy
whoever you are where ever you may be
Mom had two roles, Mom and Dad both
She had three jobs, but somehow she coped
with bringing 'em up in this strange world
their mother among stones is a bright pearl
Who's your daddy, who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
Who's your daddy, who's your daddy?, who's your daddy?
who's your daddy? who's your daddy? who's your daddy?
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4. THE BUS SONG 2004
lyrics: Ithaka and Bnegao
music: Marecal c.2004
Ten cans of Caracu already in my belly
Ain't showered at all, you guessed it I'm kinda smelly
Ai, eu pelo meu lado nao bebo tava tranquilo
fiz a obcao pela funaca pra afecta'r meus sentidos
But we wuz on our way to go to a show
From the burbs of Niteroi to the center of Rio
viagem longa tem tem tem que ter disposicao
bom humor pedida certa pra essa situacao
My bro Bnegao gonna show me the city life
See all the delirious underground Rio sights
Monte de pontos vitais Lapa destino final
Chorinho malandragem e' a batalha de um Real
But we didn't have a car, motorcycle or jet plane
I blew our dough on the beer, now a taxi's out of range
Como economistas sao uns excelentes imbe'cies
Ja' da' pra ver ai compadre, vai ser um franco daqueleles sair daqui
So how the fuck we gonna get there?
Ain't got no grana, no dinheiro to spare
to achando meu irmao que a unica obcao
sera um nome que o neginho tem verdadeira avercao
The answer to this question was
The goddamn muthafuckin bus
Yeah, right here on the muthafuckin bus
NO WE DON'T LIKE THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
BUT WE AIN' T GOT A MUTHAFUCKIN CAR
CUZ WE TOO MUTHAFUCKIN BROKE
AND IT'S TOO FUCKIN HOT TO WALK
AND WE GOTTA BEAT THE HANDS ON THE CLOCK
AND WE LATE TO THE MUTHAFUCKIN GIG
AND WE SWEATIN' LIKE MUTHAFUCKIN PIGS
RIGHT HERE ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
yeah, right here on the muthafuckin bus
Well it was hot and rainy this is true
But things were peaceful sipping on my brews
o macaco velho vacinado escolado num rolan
fica sambolado porque nas antigas conhecia CTC
Already 1am, and the bus still crowded
Some dude just tried to sell me some bootleg Viagra
Nao sei nao......rapaz nao chega nem perto do Generico
e' melhor voce deixar a natureza se seu melhor remedio
But who needs that shit when there's beauties-a-plenty
Best of all, them baby dolls on this bus were friendly
Entao compadre, e' disso q to falando Rapa
seque em frente aproveita
que a tua sovaca ainda nao virou um repelente
Fell in love ten times just over the bridge
Amor, the language on this crosstown voyage
Agora sim tu comeca entende' a cidade
Porque alguns gringos chega aqui muda ate de enternidade
My mind done changed about public transport
For thirty minutes thought I was at a rolling resort
Entao aproveita a sorte q'isso nao acontece todo a dia
Nada como a viagem longa em boa compania
But all of a sudden, we couldn't believe our eyes
Onto the bus walked fifteen stupid guys
E' nao precisava ser tanto assim
Ne' ja' fica disigual
Desafia as leis da fisica, stilo bacural
Even drunker than me and singing stupid songs
Goddamn I hope this trip ain't long
Uhm..ai rapaz nao quero desanimar nao
Mas puts! falta muito falta um pouco pra chegar ainda
So I told the the muthafuckin clowns
Ya better keep that noise down
Esses caras entronaram todo o alcool dos bares
Se alguem acendesse um fosforo ia tudo pelos ares
Now, don't get me wrong I wasn't looking for a fight
But here was fifteen muthafuckers here I just didn't like
Nao, eu sou pela nao violencia a favor de tolerancia
Precisa ser muito cinistro pra eu dar alguma importancia
Did you punch the "Joes" in the nose?
Hell no, but one at a me I dropped'em out the window
Plop-plop, splat-splat oh what a relief is that
RIGHT HERE ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
ITHAKA ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
BNEGAO ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
THALMA ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
YEAH, WE ALL ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN BUS
yeah right here on the muthafuckin bus
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5. TECHNICALLY A FAILURE
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
So you say ain't got a dollar to your name
you can still have a good days if ya follow my ways
but learn the rules before you go
of the vagabond-freeloader manifesto
So brush your teeth and wash your feet
Cuz if ya gonna beg, beg like the begger's elite
And leave your pride by the wayside
Ain't no ego allowed when ya beggin' for a ride
Sub-free rider from the LA zone
Technically a failure from my skull to my toes
Born in the burbs but that don't mean much
My Pops is dead n gone and my Mom's laid off.
And still as dumb as when I was young and my looks don't kill
Burnt my youth surfin and now I got no skills
Yes I'm broke, the brokest of the jokest
But keep my eyes to the sky and don't lose focus
Stay at Mary's on Monday
On Tuesday at Sue's
'Til Thursday I'm in the park
But eat at my Brother Stu's
Friday thru Sunday in Ventura with Roberta
Don't have my own crib I'm a freeloadin' vermin
THE LESS YOU POSSESS THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
FROM YOUR SKINCELLS TO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT SON OF MINE????
I RAISED HIM FROM A PUP, BUT HE'S GROWN TO BE A SWINE
HE'S NOT PRESENTABLE HE'S NOT RESPECTABLE
DON'T READ HIS BIBLE, JUST GOES TO MEXICO
THE LESS YOU POSSESS THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
BUT YOU'RE TECHNICALLY A FAILURE
FROM YOUR TOES TO YOUR DOME
....technically a failure
it's true I don't work nine to nine
to sacrifice my life for six dollars and a dime
I'm playing the game my own way
don't need too much of nobody
and I got no one to blame
I don't own shit. I never had shit.
I don't need shit. And I never want shit.
Most of my dreams are of wandering
Not of money and fame and blingedy bling
ain't nobody left to impress
and the less you posess, the more freedom you own
from the marrow of your bone to the depths of your soul
free to roam to places unknown
can be inside your dome or thru the allies of Rome
But when I ride by bus. train. or plane
I need more than a nickle for my travel campaign
so can you send me ten dollars to me P.O. BOX?
I'll put it to good use. I mean it, I promise
The Anatomy of Restlessness
Is the way that I deal with stress
When the world seems routine and uninspiring
The veiw out the window a dull painting
I split . Vacate. Escape. Evaporate.
I migrate south instead of hybernate.
THE LESS YOU POSSESS THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
FROM YOUR SKINCELLS TO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT SON OF MINE
I RAISED HIM FROM A PUP, BUT HE'S GROWN TO BE A SWINE
HE'S NOT PRESENTABLE HE'S NOT RESPECTABLE
DON'T READ HIS BIBLE, JUST GOES TO MEXICO
THE LESS YOU POSSESS THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
BUT YOU'RE TECHNICALLY A FAILURE
FROM YOUR TOES TO YOUR DOME
......technically a failure
I wander the world in search of nothing
Never knowing what the future will bring
From the tropics to the desert to Tallahassee
I always be the wandering MC
Riding the bus at night to avoid gettin' a room
Looking out the window at a Peruvian moon.
A stepchild unknown I roamed into Lisbonne
Became Ithaka-The Fishdaddy but still broke to bone
So if I come to town don't stop me on the street
Begging me to a rhyme while you beat box (weak)
Just seeking a spot to sleep and something to eat
But if you ya got a sister between 18 and 44
And a free spot on the sofa back in the corner
I'll be your friend for a minute or two
I'm tired of sleeping on the road cuz I ain't got a room
But I prefer not to see the same faces daily
So understand, if we meet again I'll run like you got rabies
Faces and cats and roaches and dogs
Are like old friends that you can't get rid of
THE LESS YOU POSSES THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
FROM YOUR SKINCELLS TO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT SON OF MINE
I RAISED HIM FROM A PUP, BUT HE'S GROWN TO BE A SWINE
HE'S NOT RESPECTABLE. HE'S NOT PRESENTABLE
DON'T READ HIS BIBLE, JUST GOES TO MEXICO
THE LESS YOU POSSESS THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
BUT YOU'RE TECHNICALLY A FAILURE
FROM YOUR TOES TO YOUR DOME
THE LESS YOU POSSESS THE MORE FREEDOM YOU OWN
BUT YOU'RE TECHNICALLY A FAILURE
FROM YOUR TOES TO YOUR DOME
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6.WHO's THE ENEMY?
lyrics: Ithaka and Gabriel O Pensador
music: Ithaka and Berna Ceppas
c.2004
Did ya ever notice that governments of the globe
Try to generalize each other as friend or foe
But what is a country, but a dividing wire
Of who pays taxes to which vampires
Just try to see that folk that live in tyranny
Ain't anymore the enemy than you or than me
I remember back when I was fourteen
Of the news on TV and of the films on the screen
Tried to have us all hatin' the Soviet Union
The Evil Empire, I believe was their slogan
But later on, when the heat began to cool
Russian exchange students arrived at our school
They dug computer games, rock and hip-hop
Studied hard, drank like fish, smoked a lot of pot
Two brainy dudes and four goddess like girls
Didn't exactly look to me like, Enemy Of The World
IS THIS THE ENEMY?
IS THIS THE REAL ENEMY?
DON'T LOOK LIKE THE ENEMY
NOW TELL ME WHO'S THE ENEMY
I learned once, now I try to unlearn
That some country's flags should be shredded and burned
But I live in a country which by force of fate
Has developed a culture of more love than hate
It's a country where people vote peace, not war
And where any foreigner finds an open door
Here we have many colors and many religions
Many ways of seeing things and of thinking these visions
But sometimes you just see what they shove in your eye
And the easiest way of thinking is believing a lie
That's why some accept the unacceptable
And soldiers go, where no one has to go
And leaders tell just what they want us to know
But where the hell is the real truth they never show?
Talking about hell, where does the devil reside?
And in a war, how come god has to choose one side?
Don't be fooled by your pride, when a guy with no wisdom
Wants to be a super hero in the name of freedom
Even sacred words can be excuses for killing
What you really want to know is who's the real villian
IS THIS THE ENEMY?
IS THIS THE REAL ENEMY?
DON'T LOOK LIKE THE ENEMY
NOW TELL ME WHO'S THE ENEMY
The commander-in chiefs of this planet
Put the population control on automatic
By planting the the seeds of hate in our lands
And watering the seeds with propaganda
Among the black, the brown, yellow, red, and the white
The Muslim, the Hindu, Christian and Israelite
But the enemies of The Man, ain't my enemies
Just individuals trying to make ends meet
So please don't believe everything you hear and see
Ulterior motives runs miles and miles deep
Basic need became basic greed
Globalizing economy while ignoring ecology
Bombs kill folk and pollute the air both
Eradicate species, but guarentee market growth
Got money for arms, but not for schools and medicine?
Now you tell me, who's got the enemy doctrine?
IS THIS THE ENEMY?
IS THIS THE REAL ENEMY?
DON'T LOOK LIKE THE ENEMY
NOW TELL ME WHO'S THE ENEMY
WHO IS THE VICTIM HERE?
WHO IS THE ONE I FEAR?
WHO IS THE ONE I BLAME?
WHO PUTS THE WORLD IN SHAME?
WHO MAKES THE WORLD INSANE?
WHO MAKES THE BOMBING RAIN?
WHO MAKES ME CRY IN PAIN?
WHO MAKES ME DIE IN VAIN?
Who's chasing who? you better think twice
Who's the hunter? who's the hunted
Who are the cats? who are the mice?
I see policians, how they speak so nice
I see how suspiciously they roll the dice
I see how they lie and control our lives
I see, I see they're just cold like ice
I simply can't stand all this sacrifice
In the name of the law, when the laws are lies
Don't rely on those who preach that same old speech
That many should be poor, so one or two can be rich
I've been walking and talking across the five continents
I've seen hunger and humility, anger and arrogance
The more I see, the more I feel this shame
The more I see we're different
The more I see we're different
The more I feel we are all the same
I've seen a lot places, a lot of faces
A lot of so-called races of humanity in front of me
I've seen some pictures on the wall and on the TV screen
But I still haven't seen the real enemy
IS THIS THE ENEMY?
IS THIS THE REAL ENEMY?
DON'T LOOK LIKE THE ENEMY
NOW TELL ME WHO'S THE ENEMY
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7. WORK RELATED
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
hey Ithaka...you daydreaming again?
are you listening to me, Boy?
if you want to stay among the employed
you gotta follow the rules
YOU remember the rules
WASTING AWAY MY DAYS FOR MINIMUM WAGE
PRAYING TO A GOD WITH NO NAME
RESCUE ME FROM THIS CAGE
FORGIVE ME I'M THANKFUL IN MY WAY
BUT I HAD TOO MUCH REALITY FOR ONE DAY
fun flies when you doing time
for an hour of your life ya
git six dollars and a dime
I used to be somebody, someplace
but here in Somewhere, I became a disgrace
A job ? shit, haven't had one in years
I'm an artist supposed to git supported by my peers
But my peers disappeared and my money ran out
Lost my girl, my pride, even lost my clout
Had ambition and dreams
Plans to be traveling
But I took my luck for granted
and now I'm abandoned
dropped ERASE THE SLATE years ago
but before life got cruel and unusual
It's about peace, self-respect and self-preservation
But both sides of the rhyme be in need of salvation
How can I preach peace when there's hate in my heart?
How can I keep jealousy from tearing me apart?
what's it like to live a slob
when you know you supposed to be getting paid
Know you supposed to be getting laid
While theives without a phrase
already got it made got it made?
try to keep it cool, try not to act a fool
I Gotta refrain, I Gotta mantain
I Got to keep myself from going insane
Gotta Gotta Gotta STAY out of the gutter
Gotta Gotta KEEP my head above water
No health insurance can't aford payments it's hopeless
I'm less than two paychecks from being homeless
WASTING AWAY MY DAYS FOR MINIMUM WAGE
PRAYING TO A GOD WITH NO NAME
RESCUE ME UP FROM THIS CAGE
FORGIVE ME I'M THANKFUL IN MY OWN WAY
BUT I HAD TOO MUCH REALITY FOR ONE DAY
hey Ithaka..you daydreaming again?
are you listening to me?
if you want to remain among the employed
you got to follow the rules
you remember the rules?
Don't read
Don't breathe
Don't talk......you're on the clock
and turn that goddamn broken music off!!!
I want you to mop the floor, and take out the trash
clean the toilet and empty the rat traps
move this here and then move that
them move them back where they
were when you're done with that
Hitting my head against the wall
I've been here before, but no I ain't gonna fall
Gotta gotta gotta break on thru
That's what I gotta gotta gotta do
I'm at that point of no retreat
But I'm still at least standing upon my feet
I've been to and from hell and I lived to tell
a story or two about the wishing well
So give me respect, at least give me a raise
so I can get a ride and be on my way
WASTING AWAY MY DAYS FOR MINIMUM WAGE
PRAYING TO A GOD WITH NO NAME
RESCUE ME UP FROM THIS CAGE
FORGIVE ME I'M THANKFUL IN MY WAY
BUT I HAD TOO MUCH REALITY FOR ONE DAY
WASTING AWAY MY DAYS FOR MINIMUM WAGE
PRAYING TO A GOD WITH NO NAME
RESCUE ME UP FROM THIS CAGE
FORGIVE ME I'M THANKFUL IN MY WAY
BUT I HAD TOO MUCH REALITY FOR ONE DAY
hey hey now Ithaka what are doing with that knife?
you.... you know you're my favorite,
just..don't do anything you're gonna regret later
I QUIT!
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8. I RIDE
music and lyrics by: ithaka c.2004
I RIDE I RIDE I RIDE I RIDE
I RIDE SINCE I WAS A SMALL FRY
.... SINCE THE DAY MAMMY MULTIPLIED
I RIDE TO KEEP MY SOUL ALIVE
I RIDE UNTIL THE DAY, THE DAY THAT I DIE
I RIDE PORQUE SOU DE AGUA E DO SOL
QUANDO SURFO A VIDA TEM MAIS SENTIDO
I RIDE CUZ I LIKE THE VEIW FROM THE TUBE
I RIDE CUZ I LIKE THE COLOR BLUE
I RIDE TO KEEP MY MOJO INTACT
SO I GOT THE GOODS TO DELIVER when my baby gets back
I RIDE cuz I prefer to GLIDE
than to get HIGH
with THINGS that make MY brain fry
I RIDE the bumps in LA grime
I RIDE to forget LA city crime
I ride. cuz I prefer to fly
than to be on the SIDE on standby
I RIDE i like SALT sray in my eyes
I'll ride til the DAY the SUN makes me blind
I RIDE cuz nothing better than being inside
.....a waves inner thigh
I ride, cuz SHE's always wet
She never talks back or messes with my head
I ride
I ride
I RIDE to be cleansed of my sins
used to ride twin but I prefer a trifin
I RIDE whenver I have the time
grew up by the sea, but I was born in Anaheim
I RIDE I don't sit and observe
I RIDE day or night whenever I have the urge
I RIDE to calm my burnt nerves
I RIDE when my sanity I need to preserve
when ride in the calm. I go with the flow
when I ride in the storm I git agro
I RIDE ALL AROUND THIS globe
I RIDE IN THE TROPICS I RIDE IN THE COLD
I RIDE
I RIDE
I RIDE SINCE I WAS A SMALL FRY
.... SINCE THE DAY MAMMY MULTIPLIED
I RIDE TO KEEP MY SOUL ALIVE
I RIDE UNTIL THE DAY,THE DAY THAT I DIE
I RIDE PORQUE SOU DA AGUA E DO SOL
QUANDO SURFO A VIDA TEM MAIS SENTIDO
I RIDE CUZ I LIKE THE VEIW FROM THE TUBE
I RIDE CUZ I LIKE THE COLOR BLUE
I RIDE TO KEEP MY MOJO INTACT
SO I'S GOT THE GOODS TO DELIVER when my baby gets back
I RIDE
I RIDE
I ride to be one with nature
I ride to keep from bad behavior
I ride to shed my in hi bi tions
riding everyday is my one ambition
I ride cuz it's power supreme
Sometimes I ride naked sometimes wear neprene
I RIDE Cuz i gots the need for speed
.... cuz I GOT GREED for speed
.....yes I'll even bleed for speed
I RIDE, glide down the line for a mile
.....cuz that's my substance free exhile
I Ride, slide into liquid caves
I ride cuz that's my one and only escape
I RIDE
I RIDE
I ride to be one with nature
I ride to keep from bad behavior
I ride over rocks I ride over reefs
I'll ride any wave but prefer steep peaks
I ride to keep myself inspired
To sculpt or scribe or even change a tire
I ride in the middle of the winter
I rode a place that made my stick a splinter
I rode walls that blocked out the sky
Underwater out of breath I saw my life flash by
I ride to escape street commotion
I give my praise to the motion of the ocean
I ride when I'm angry or about (to starve)
I get on rail and begin to carve
a liquid piece of the pie
No longer feel like I want to die
I ride in the Atlantic, I ride in the Pacific
I ride secret spots, can't be too specific
I RIDE
I RIDE
I RIDE SINCE I WAS A SMALL FRY
.... SINCE THE DAY MAMMY MULTIPLIED
I RIDE TO KEEP MY SOUL ALIVE
I RIDE UNTIL THE DAY,THE DAY THAT I DIE
I RIDE PORQUE SOU DA AGUA E DOSOL
QUANDOSURFO A VIDA TEM MAIS SENTIDO
I RIDE CUZ I LIKE THE VEIW FROM THE TUBE
I RIDE CUZ I LIKE THE COLOR BLUE
I RIDE TO KEEP MY MOJO INTACT
SO I'S GOT THE GOODS TO DELIVER when my baby gets back
I RIDE
I RIDE
__________________________________________________________________
9. MARTA de la VALLARTA
lyrics and music by ithaka c.2004
October twenty-fifth, two-zero, zero two
A thousand south of the border with the Sweatlodge Crew
It was a work trip, stills and videos
Fifteen of us, ten babes and five time- bros
It'd been a long intense week of travel
We'd had a good a time but it was starting to unravel
Hurricane Marta was somewhere near the coast
But for us, easier to believe in ghosts
They'd told us to leave, but we didn't believe
Cuz we's from LA, California
where weather-wise nothing happens
day-after-day
Out for drinks in old towne Vallarta
It was a tribe mind thing that we was all a part of
Having the time of our entire lives
Laughing and dancing the second we arrived
Getting freaky on the dancefloor in Puerta Vallarta
Didn't have a clue we was about to meet Marta
WE HAD BOTTOM-HEAVY BASS-BANGING JOINTS IN THE HOUSE
TWO FOR ONE DRINK SPECIALS THERE WAS ZERO DOUBT
WE WUZ SHAKING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
WE WUZ DRINKING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
WE WUZ LIVING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
THEN CAME THE STORM OF THE DECADE
A WITCH NAMED MARTA
At six a.m., back at the Shereton
The party moved to my room the number was seven-ten
Wind arrived as it was getting light
Outside shorepounders least 30-feet high
Light giant muddy teeth chomping down the shore
a quarter hour later rolling thru the lobby's back door
Palm trees, tvs, refrigerators more
swept on thru the first , second floors
Lights, water and phone already gone
nowhere to go, we was stranded alone
Windows popping like Redenbacher popcorn
Doors slamming like Amity house of horror
Plaster and bricks getting torn off of the ceiling
While the staff in a circle crying and a kneeling
But the Pagan in us didn't want to fuss
Let us LIVE! or let our heads bust!
Bring this shit on! we cheered, Bring this shit on!
WE HAD BOTTOM-HEAVY BASS-BANGING JOINTS IN THE HOUSE
TWO FOR ONE DRINK SPECIALS THERE WAS ZERO DOUBT
WE WUZ SHAKING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
WE WUZ DRINKING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
WE WUZ LIVING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
THEN CAME THE STORM OF THE DECADE
A WITCH NAMED MARTA
What would you do? What would YOU do?
If you knew the roof was coming down
And if ya left that you would drown
What we did was a given
Not allowed to recommend it
But definitely don't condemn it.
Thought, what is it in life that we most cherish?
Dig music and making love
Turned up the volume and opened another rum
Just like that old Beach Boys song
Two babes for every bro
As the building was crumbling
We was dancin' and drinkin' and grindin' and bumpin'
Instead of screaming and crying
We was laughing and loving
Bring this shit on! we cheered Bring this shit on!
But after only three hours, the wind slowed the rain stopped
The sun came out and the waves began to drop
Just like Moses dividing the Red Sea
Without delay Marta's waters began to recede
The hotel no longer shaked and quaked
Had our little party been a big mistake??
Well hell no, stoked that we wadn't "drowners"
We turned the volume up even louder
WE HAD BOTTOM-HEAVY BASS-BANGING JOINTS IN THE HOUSE
TWO FOR ONE DRINK SPECIALS THERE WAS ZERO DOUBT
WUZ SHAKING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
WE WUZ DRINKING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
WE WUZ LIVING IT UP IN PUERTA VALLARTA
THOUGHT WE WUZ GONNA DIE IN PUERTA VALLARTA
BUT WE SURVIVED A FIVE IN PUERTA VALLARTA
___________________________________________________________________
10. BROTHER BARSTOW
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
My brother left the city
get away from it all
Away from high rents,
pollution and traffic
moved to the desert
where there is no grass
Just dust and sun and sadness
The rents are low, this is true
but there aren't many jobs
and the collars are blue
Brother Bartsow,
if you're running from yourself,give it up
Eyes from the skies are on you
Eyes from the skies are on you
My brother left the city
get away from it all
Away from high rents,
pollution and traffic
moved to the desert
where there is no grass
Just dust and sun and sadness
The rents are low, this is true
but there aren't many jobs
and the collars are blue
Brother Bartsow,
if you're running from yourself
Give it up
Eyes from the skies are on you
Eyes from the skies are on you
People are the key,
not air, water, food like scientists thought.
So don't isolate.....integrate
If I catch a rail, I'll come to say hey
but give me a call if you're coming my way
come see the lights once in a while, Brother Barstow
come see the lights once in a while, Brother Barstow
come see the lights once in a while, Brother Barstow
come see the lights once in a while,
________________________________________________________________
11. LIKE A BOTTLE OF BACCARDI (she made my life a party)
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
six years in Lisboa,
guess I sort of
burned out my welcome
my friends coming by seldom
my presence was bigger than paycheck
was wanting to disappear like thumbtack into haystack
no transport to escape on regular basis
moved out of the city to a place called Oerias
didn't know none of the local kids
lived between the projects and the bourgouis pigs
couldn't relate to the northside betinos
I kept to the south with my new crew of amigos
Believe Posse was the group to see
they had a cool sound, Bodycount meet MARLEY
and the bass player's sister they called,"Mloa"
had a radiant angola mocha glowa
first time I seen Mloa was outside of the store
wearing a red kimono hair wrapped around a bone
living walking example of style and grace
curvy little figure with unusual face
whom I saw was the girl of my life
a girl who could maybe someday be my wife
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
SHE'S ICECREAM ON MY PIE
THE KETCHUP ON MY FRIES
TWO SHOTS OF EXPRESSO
BEFORE THE SUNRISE
LIKE A BOTTLE OF BACARDI
SHE MAKES MY LIFE A PARTY
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
She'd had 18 years of living in a crowded crib
Two bedrooms stuffed to capacity with growing kids
Bairro das Caixas the zone she from
saturated with smack and mud
and everything else under the sun
On my out been on the other side a long time
Wanna come back to LA my eccentric valentine?
Si, quero ir contigo
the answer was yes
Took her Moms to Palmeiras to eat Chinese
told her as calm as possible,
your daughter's coming with me
to the City of Angels to make a fresh start
leave the zone. the dope. and pursue a career in art
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
SHE'S ICECREAM ON MY PIE
THE KETCHUP ON MY FRIES
TWO SHOTS OF EXPRESSO
BEFORE THE SUNRISE
LIKE A BOTTLE OF BACARDI
SHE MAKES MY LIFE A PARTY
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
comin back to Cali without a nickle to our names
I was parking cars and she waitressed and Jane's
Using fake name, numbers and fake papers
Do what you do to get paid for labors
We kept the faith, we was not hopeless
We laughed away three years of brokeness
Laughing at ourselves, laughing with each other
giving the rest of the world hell
just us against them others
Finally we starting to live out our dreams
Doing our projects and doing some traveling
I wouldn't want to do it without her
She wouldn't want to do it with out me
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
SHE'S ICECREAM ON MY PIE
THE KETCHUP ON MY FRIES
TWO SHOTS OF EXPRESSO
BEFORE THE SUNRISE
LIKE A BOTTLE OF BACARDI
SHE MAKES MY LIFE A PARTY
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
SHE'S ICECREAM ON MY PIE
THE KETCHUP ON MY FRIES
TWO SHOTS OF EXPRESSO
BEFORE THE SUNRISE
LIKE A BOTTLE OF BACARDI
SHE MAKES MY LIFE A PARTY
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
gotta gotta good thing going
the vibe don't stagnate
the love keeps rolling
__________________________________________________________________
12. MUERTO ESCONDIDO
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
I know a place that's hot most the time
A spliff cost a quarter, a beer cost a dime
I've roameded the globe, Nairob'to Kyoto
But my favorite ghetto is in the depths of Mexico
Paradise is where you make it, but this ain't for the weak
Where men walk on water and zombies walk the streets
The water's blue, sand black, skin brown
Near a little ghost town that never shuts down
Beauty all around for miles
But there's darkness in their smiles
....there's darkness in their smiles
MUERTO ESCONDIDO.... SU ALMA ESTA EM PElIGRO
LA VERDADE SERA REVELADA EM MUERTO ESCONDIDIO
Muerto's got swells that'll kick yo' ass
Sprain yo' ankles or leave 'em casts
There's tropical rain to wash away the pain
But ain't nothing to keep you from going insane
jacking straight up with a chip on her shoulder
one-woman army, million-gallon liquid soldier
Muerto Escondido, not for the weak
Where men walk on water and zombies walk the streets
Ants the size of roaches and roaches the size of mice
Scorpions in your shoes and beds full of lice
INSIDE: frogs and 'squitos in the shower
OUTSIDE: guns, knives and murder
When a house gets robbed, I mean the house itself
They kick your sorry butt out and move it someplace else
It's no man's land, It's no thugs land
It's no one's land...e' LOCOLAND
MUERTO ESCONDIDO.... SU ALMA ESTA EM PELIGRO
LA VERDADE SERA REVELADA EM MUERTO ESCONDIDIO
Suicide and homicide
With dead dogs by the roadside
The river runs with blood the sixth of the month
Coinciding with the local eclipse of the sun
Took shrooms at dawn and thought I saw god
Told me to drink more tequila, stop drinking so much rum
Went to a party at that house up on the hill
With lizards on the walls and ghosts in the halls
Sat down to a plate of fishead stew
Sucking on an eyeball, I'd been trying to chew
Saw ants moving bread across the floor
Through the dining room the kitchen and out the door
They didn't even wait 'til we got to desert
But neither did the skeezer with me trying to flirt
She said, I'm from Italy, but I've lived here ten years
Now I have two husbands and I have six kids
Her mouth was melting as she tried to speak
Said, Caro Ithaka let me give you a treat
She started unzipping, but I was not with it
had a chancre the size of a quarter
on the outside of her lippage
Left the room, left the house
But that ghost in the hall followed me out
He said, you can run, but you cannot hide
From that little dark lie you call your life
Wontcha come back in and stay awhile
drink some blood with Tequila, Escondido style
MUERTO ESCONDIDIO NOT FOR THE WEAK
WHERE MEN WALK ON WATER
AND ZOMBIES WALK THE STREETS
MUERTO ESCONDIDO...SU ALMA ESTA EM PELIGRO
LA VERDADE SERA REVELADA EM MUERTO ESCONDIDIO
MUERTO ESCONDIDIO NOT FOR THE WEAK
WHERE MEN WALK ON WATER
AND ZOMBIES WALK THE STREETS
MUERTO ESCONDIDO...SU ALMA ESTA EM PELIGRO
LA VERDADE SERA REVELADA EM MUERTO ESCONDIDIO
___________________________________________________________________
13. STINGRAY SHUFFLE
lyrics and music: Ithaka c.2004
A stingray
is a flat, bottom-feeding fish
that feeds and breeds
in warm shallow water
and prefers sandy sea floors
Stingrays are not agressive,
but will defend themselves
if stepped on.
They have a stinger in their tails
and they will use
to sting their attacker
in the foot or ankle.
The stinger is covered in a protein
that adds to the pain of the sting
If you get stung,
the lifeguard will have you
soak you feet in hot water.
This breaks down the toxins
and will help relieve the pain.
Shuffling your feet slowly in the sand
will warn stingrays
to move out of your way.
Shuffling your feet slowly in the sand
will warn stingrays
to move out of your way.
Shuffling your feet slowly in the sand
will warn stingrays
to move out of your way.
___________________________________________________________
14. SLEEPING IN THE SHADE
lyrics and music: ithaka c.2004
hit and run....quick as a gun
hit and run....quick as a gun
hit and run...quick as a gun
hit and run...quick as a gun
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
DREAMING ABOUT A FRIEND
WHO WENT EARLY TO HER GRAVE
NOW SHE'S UNDER A TREE AND OUT OF THE SUN
IN A PLACE TO REST FROM A WORLD FAR GONE
Coming up in life, doing what she liked
had her head on right with her goals in sight
Well liked, well loved...on earth and above
A rose without thorns from a puddle of mud
She was twenty and I was eighteen
Had art classes together at L.A.C.C.
She was always drawing shoes
Instead of flowers and reeds
and just a couple of years later
People wore them shoes on their feet
hit and run....quick as a gun
hit and run....quick as a gun
hit and run...quick as a gun
hit and run...quick as a gun
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
DREAMING ABOUT A FRIEND
WHO WENT EARLY TO HER GRAVE
NOW SHE'S UNDER A TREE AND OUT OF THE SUN
IN A PLACE TO REST FROM A WORLD FAR GONE
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
She taught me about living, laughing and loving
During lunch hours at her Mom's apartment
Dream hard and play hard and love hard
and work hard and love hard and dream hard
Her soul and spirit had a strong effect on me
Cuz soon I started doing what I love.....wandering
I remember her laugh, white teeth n olive skin
And her favorite line, live this life to win
When I saw her 'fore I left on journey
She told me, Fly high "Ith"...send me a card sometime
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
DREAMING ABOUT A FRIEND
WHO WENT EARLY TO HER GRAVE
NOW SHE'S UNDER A TREE AND OUT OF THE SUN
IN A PLACE TO REST FROM A WORLD FAR GONE
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
Got a letter in Lisbon, six months later
But it wasn't from her...it was from her brother
Said, on her birthday friends asked her out
To El Cholo on Western. Her favorite without doubt
Margaritas for Margarita with vegetarian fajitas
Happy Birthday sung in Spanish by irridecent senhoritas
Blew out the candles and laughed out loud
And said, I got something in the car I wanna show you all
But on her way back to the lot, walking the crosswalk
Got taken out with a truck that didn't even stop
as her dragged her down the block
.......................................................................
A young beautiful life. Age: twenty-four
Reduced to three bumps on a truck's floor board
hit and run....quick as a gun
hit and run....quick as a gun
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
SLEEPING IN THE SHADE ON A SUMMER'S DAY
_______________________________________________________________
15. 'N PORTUGAL
lyrics:Ithaka / music: Berna Ceppas c. 2004
Ithaka got love for Portugal
Cuz I lived alot of years in Portugal
Cuz I got alotta bros in Portugal
Cuz I found my soul in Portugal
Ithaka ain't from the old school, Ithaka ain't from the new
I came swimming into the picture from the depths of the blue
With my fins dried out dragged myself to town
Didn't know it if I was lost or if I was found
No job no friend no money not funny
Stepchild in Lisboa with no milkshakes or honey
But I be gliding I be rolling
Treatin' time like it be stolen
Take the whole story back to the year 1992
Cuz sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do
Time for me to escape from the city of devils
It was the riddle of life that I was trying to unravel
I had to get out of there while there was going to get
LA was the hunter California was the net
PORTUGAL, I MISSING YOU
YOU WAS DOWN WITH ME AND I'M DOWN WITH YOU
PORTUGAL, I'M MISSING YOU
YOU'RE A PART OF ME AND I'M A PART OF YOU
I WAS FLAT BROKE... IN PORTUGAL
ATE ALOT OF CALDO VERDE..... IN PORTUGAL
DRANK ALOT OF SUPERBOCK.....IN PORTUGAL
SMOKED ALOT OF GANZA IN...PORTUGAL
I look to the blue cuz I'm THE BUM WITH BLUE BLOOD
BEEN FOUR long YEARS since I made KETCHUP LOVE.
Pretty Little, Pretty Little pretty pretty STELLAFLY
Won't you please baby please be my SUBSTANCE-FREE EXHILE
But she said, No It's time for you to roam
So catch the SUSHI-PACK SUBWAY and get yourself on home
I walk the street with no STREET LOYALTY
Cuz I be from the sea, I be the FISHDADDY
In my SPIRITUAL GRAVEYARD, there I was stuck
Wasn't easy like I thought to just SO GET UP
THE RISE AND FALL OF A FORTUNE that was the next PLOT
SUNNY THE BUNNY split with my money but he never got caught
ERASE THE SLATE OF HATE, ERASE THE SLATE OF HATE
With some FLOWERS AND THE COLOR OF PAINT
PORTUGAL, I MISSING YOU
YOU WAS DOWN WITH ME AND I'M DOWN WITH YOU
PORTUGAL, I'M MISSING YOU
YOU'RE A PART OF ME AND I'M A PART OF YOU
THERE'S ALOT OF SUGAR DOLLS...IN PORTUGAL
AND I MADE ALOT OF LOVE .....IN PORTUGAL
BUT I DIDN'T MAKE BABIES..IN PORTUGAL
CUZ I ALWAYS WORE A GLOVE...IN PORTUGAL
BUTTERFLY OF WISDOM said, STAY STRONG LITTLE BROTHER
AIN'T NO BREEZE, so STONEMOBILE on down to the ALABAMA CAVE PARTY
KING TARDY's UMBILIBUS arrived at two
With the ESCAPE FROM THE CITY OF ANGEL crew
Then it was URSULA of ITHAKA, CAPRICORN and CANCER
And SEABRA IS MAD from SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF GIBRALTAR
Later, met PIGEON LADY at EDEN BY THE SEA
She's a SLEEPDRIVER But she makes GOOD COOKIES.....
Oatmeal choclate chip cookies
Now I'm speeding through the decades like they was red lights
Keeping a lead on the loanshark that lent me the good life
I'm out there living mine all the time,
Cuz rhymes don't grow in the garden
PORTUGAL, I MISSING YOU
YOU WAS DOWN WITH ME AND I'M DOWN WITH YOU
PORTUGAL, I'M MISSING YOU
YOU'RE A PART OF ME AND I'M A PART OF YOU
PEACE AND LOVE... ........IN PORTUGAL
THE SKY'S STILL BLUE..... IN PORTUGAL
REEFS AND POINTS......... IN PORTUGAL
SCORED THE BARREL OF MY LIFE...IN PORTUGAL
SCRIBED ALOT OF RHYMES... IN PORTUGAL
MADE A DEMO..... .........IN PORTUGAL
CUT TWO ALBUMS ...........IN PORTUGAL
Yes, LIFE WAS GOOD......... IN PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL, I MISSING YOU
YOU WAS DOWN WITH ME AND I'M DOWN WITH YOU
PORTUGAL, I'M MISSING YOU
YOU'RE A PART OF ME AND I'M A PART OF YOU
