I Ain't Gonna Work That Hard No More

from Apartment Recordings by Dave Smallen

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lyrics

I've been stuck down in this chamber
For coming on ten years
With these howling wretches of desire
Clawing out for falling tears
I've plundered through the halls of sorrow
Til my arms and heart were sore
And baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

I felt shame as I looked up
At the faces around me
Fell dismantled in a puddle
Of cold uncertainty
Excusing the conviction
Always burning at my core
And baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

Sick of the world weighing on me
Always carrying it with me
Trying to please everybody
But my own self
That's one description of hell
To wake each day
Like you're going to war
Ah baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

I've been deep behind the veil
Where the decisions all get made
In the heat of personal vendetta
The compulsive killing floor of fame
They say now kid we'll rise you up
Just start crawling on the floor
And baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

I've seen them tethered to ambition
Watching the old American Dream
Come to fruition in their hands
But it isn't like it seems
You'll lie awake in your locked mansion
Like you're still knocking on the door
And baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

Gonna catch me laughing
At the masses passing
Trading these moments
Towards some everlasting
Gonna bank on the sunlight
When it's in my eyes
Gamble on the rain
When it starts to pour
Baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

These thoughts cut through the silence
Like a phone call in the night
You reach your hand out trembling
Cause what's on the other line
Will bring the hammer down and nothing
Will be like it was before
And maybe baby you wont have to work so hard no more

I'm not saying I want to be lazy
I don't wanna quit the scene
I just want to stop and savor
When I've earned what I need
I'm still here to play the game
But I'm done with keeping score
And baby I ain't gonna work that hard no more

credits

from Apartment Recordings, released August 10, 2010

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Dave Smallen Oakland

davesmallen.com

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