Track 2 of the single Orange Vest / Winter Warmth · 2014
Crossing Guard Cypher
by Kane Rivers
“A man in an orange vest taught me more about showing up than any teacher did.”
boom-bap · boom-bap · nostalgic rap · 3:04
Lyrics
Seven-fifteen, the sky still gray and slow Orange vest glowing like a lantern in the cold Stop sign raised like a king's own scepter Forty little backpacks follow where she led them Cars at a crawl 'cause she said so, that's law Mama in the minivan got coffee and awe She knows every name, every shoelace, every grin Sends them safe across, then waves the traffic in Hold up, hold up, the guard says stop Little feet cross while the whole block's got Hands on the wheel and a patient heart She's the first one in the day that makes a start Hold up, hold up, let the children through Respect to the one who sees them through Rain on the crosswalk, she's out there still Puddle-jump parade, every kid gets a thrill She trades high-fives and a joke for the road Carries a hundred small worries, a heavy load Kid with a trumpet case, kid with a frown She spots the sad one and she turns it around No cape, no badge on the news at night Just a whistle and a smile and the morning light Hold up, hold up, the guard says stop Little feet cross while the whole block's got Hands on the wheel and a patient heart She's the first one in the day that makes a start Hold up, hold up, let the children through Respect to the one who sees them through Years go by and the kids get tall Some wave back from the college ball Some come home and they cross that street Still she's there with the same warm beat I was late once, ran the corner too fast She looked at me, said slow down, son, it lasts Now I roll easy, I let the crosswalk breathe That's the lesson that she gave me, I believe Stop sign up, the whole world waits Small steps matter, small steps great Every morning someone holds the line So the little ones can shine Hold up, hold up, the guard says stop Little feet cross while the whole block's got Hands on the wheel and a patient heart She's the first one in the day that makes a start Hold up, hold up, let the children through Respect to the one who sees them through Orange vest glowing, the day can start Thank you to the guard with the biggest heart