The Gray

This is a song I wrote which was initially a possible entry for the lyrics competition. Because of my fear for its success, I decided not to enter it and post it after the end of the competition. Well, here it is. Without a doubt, this has to be the best thing I have ever written.

- - -

This is a story told from the view of a man
who watched as his sons slipped right out of his hands
1 week before his before this birthday, what could he wish for then?
So sit down, and let me begin.
It was 3 years ago today when his first son was beat to death
He crossed the line, he got what he had to expect
The south side kids punished those who crossed the blood red line
They watched day and night, if someone would cross in due time
This line is not an image of the mind
It's an actual line, crossing a city, stained with blood and grime
This between-street divide was given its name
When was blood was spilled upon it 6 years ago yesterday
For 3 years, this city has been split into two
A North and South side, and what's unbelievably true
Is that these people aren't so different at all
They just have a hard time accepting that things are their fault
When this one man's son was killed by a south side gang
His little brother got pissed and decided to make a change
HIs only real want was to unite this place
That was divided becase people think everyone else is to blame
He had wanted this for the past 3 years
He was sick and tired of having to live in fear
Watch his parents in tears as they sat at home
Alone, unaware their son was planning to go
He left his house at midnight
Took what he needed, locked his room tight
He walked out the door and zipped up his coat
As he gripped a spray can, a knife, and his notes
He crossed the grime, opened the can, started at a wall of gray
He started to pain, and when he'd be done, the wall would say:

"Ladies and gentlemen, this city will fall
If we don't unite at all, this is a call
To all of you from the north and south sides
For those who feel scared each and every night
To those spending time guarding one stupid line
To define that anybody who crosses should die
What difference do we have from rags to riches?
We are no different, just in different positions
One person umemployed, another has a great job
You're going to spill blood for this? Define your stupid law.
This is a time for all of you to realize
That inside, your hearts are all really the same size
It's time to end the conflict, and stop the kills
You killed my own brother for crossing to get milk
I'm a young boy who lost his big brother today
And I've come to write a message and say
that today, we can change this place, and make it safe
Please look inside yourselves before it's too late.."


As he capped his can, six south side kids approached
He pointed to the wall, took his knife and slit his own throat
The kids stood in awe as they stared at the wall
Couldn't believe what it said, as they started at it 'till dawn
Hours passed and people gathered to see
The body of a young boy dead in the street
They read the letters sprayed on a wall of gray
Taking in what this north side kid had to say
The word spread, and eventually it reached the boy's dad
Who lost in one week nearly everything he had
He lost his sons to spite, and his wife to suicide
One week before his birthday, didn't deserve this lfie
Days passed in the town, and things appeared to have gotten better
Everyone finally felt a little closer together
How strange how people can change in a second
All because a single boy made one powerful message
As the city united, the red line was covered with a newly paved street
Finally after years, the people made ends meet
Although this one man lost his whole life in days
He's proud of his son for what he had to say

Now the deaths long gone, but the letters stay
On the Gray that stays in the city today
A wall that shows all the pain the strife
From the hell that they used to call a life
But because one boy and his strive to change things for the better
Now everybody is a bit more closer together

 

Thanks for the comments.

 

To be honest with you, there was no direct inspiration for the song. I just thought in my head that I wanted to write something really, really good. It had to be powerful and express a point. So I thought of difference, and it made me think about a situation where a city is just divided because of differences people just won't accept. So the story sprung out of that.

 

Ha ha, thank you.