Track 4 of the album Overtime Pay · 2016
Public Library Cypher
by Kane Rivers
“Marble ledge, worn card, all my summers. Libraries raised me too.”
rap · lyrical rap · nostalgic hip hop · 2:27
Lyrics
Card in my wallet, worn at the edge Spent every summer on that marble ledge Librarian knew me, called me by name Slid me a book that rearranged my aim Quiet in the stacks but my mind was loud Scribbling in the margins, never felt proud Till I found the poets on the dusty shelf Then I knew the voice that I had was myself Open the cover, open the mind Free little doorway for the ones left behind Library cypher, whisper and spit Every page I turn is a place I fit Computers in the corner, resume on the screen Mama's learning English, she's the proudest I've seen Kids in the back doing homework till close Heater by the window where the cold wind blows Lost my first sentence in a chapter of grit Found it on a Tuesday, now I'm writing it Dewey Decimal numbers like a lucky rhyme Eight-one-one point five, that's the section, that's the time Open the cover, open the mind Free little doorway for the ones left behind Library cypher, whisper and spit Every page I turn is a place I fit Lights flick twice, that's the closing call Stack up my books, walk the marble hall Stamp on the card says return in two weeks But the words stay with me when the city speaks Shout to the keepers of the silent room Planting little seeds that are bound to bloom I'm a product of the shelves and the people who care Public space, public love, always there Quiet, quiet, listen close Stories are the thing we need the most Open the cover, open the mind Free little doorway for the ones left behind Library cypher, whisper and spit Every page I turn is a place I fit