Alter Ego

'Round the age of 35, I began to lose my drive
I was wasted, chasin' time as if I was losin' my mind
If you're listenin', there's a way to make it to that other side
When you're driftin' and you need somethin' upliftin' in your lives

Take my eyes, all this blue and black and ebony inside
They done cried 'cause they seen too much to ever be surprised
Then they dried, used to be so full of light and damn near died
Searchin' for them whens and whys, tyin' up loose ends and odds

Sins of mine, crimson tides, close family and friends of ours
You decide, said I probably should forget my foolish pride
And my sneakers made of gasoline while tippin' through this fire
Listenin' to this choir, asked a simple question, "Who is I?"

I perfected imperfection, I've dealt with debt collection
All my demons, I respect 'em, I'm a breathin' intersection
On the crux of my redemption, not to mention reinspired
Lookin' out for me and mine, since I told my alter ego goodbye

Bye-bye
Bye-bye (bye-bye)
Bye-bye (bye-bye)
Bye-bye (bye-bye)
Bye-bye (bye-bye)

Yo, when I was runnin' on empty, that emptiness would tempt me
And I felt like everything, even my shadow worked against me
I sit there in the mirror, starin' at myself intensely
Thinking, "I should act my age, shit, I'm approachin' half a century"

Accidentally, I be mentally taken to my point of entry
And shown the bigger picture like I'd watched a documentary
I decided if I'm ridin', I'm gon' do it positively
Undeniably, sobriety's influenced my delivery

In a world of flowers, where heaven's beauty and hell's power
Money that smells sour, bats in a bell tower
That's who you lose interest in after the first hour
Teachable memories that I found resound louder

Than a bomb, losin' track of a reason to correspond
When your conscience kick you in the ass like a chorus line
On the crux of my redemption, not to mention reinspired
Lookin' out for me and mine since I told my alter ego goodbye

Bye-bye
Bye-bye (bye-bye)
Bye-bye (bye-bye)
Bye-bye (bye-bye)
Bye-bye (bye-bye)