Bad Medicine
Liz Green Lyrics

The words of an old place and they’re always in time with his soul.
He feels connected to the traditions and ways of the past, which are a key part of his identity and values.

Though his face be cracked and worn like age-old summer soil.
His appearance reflects a hard, challenging life of work and struggle, like the soil that has endured many seasons.

You know he gave you his hand so you would lift him off that ground,
He asks for help and support from others, despite being proud and self-sufficient, in order to rise above his circumstances.

And no-one wants a hand that’s rough to touch from the shit it’s been carrying around.
People are repelled by others who have experienced extreme hardship and carry visible scars and burdens of trauma.

And every man wants more than he, ever did before.
Everyone has aspirations and expectations that evolve over time and grow with experience and exposure to new possibilities.

He’s still got no way out, We’ve got no way out, No way out, We’ve got no way out of this.
Despite the desire for change and freedom, there seem to be few options or pathways available to achieve it, either for him or society at large.

Well he walks though town like a bible prophet, Knows he owns it all, but sometimes he doesn’t bother
Despite being a respected figure in his community and having achieved a measure of success, he sometimes feels disillusioned and disconnected from his own power and influence.

No sometimes he doesn’t bother Lord well he knows the dark hearts of men
He recognizes the flaws and weaknesses of human nature, and sometimes chooses not to engage with others because of it.

And he’s been there before Yeah he won’t go there again, No yeah, he won’t go there again.
He has faced challenges and obstacles in the past, which have taught him valuable lessons that he is determined to apply in the future.

So if my eyes turn black and my teeth fall out and my hairs caught up in rags, Don’t give me none of that medicine ‘cos I’ll spit it right back out.
He rejects the hollow promises and false hope that medicine and other quick fixes offer, knowing that true healing and transformation must come from within.

He tried so hard to fit in but he never really got a chance. Before he spoke they burnt him, cut him, roped him and finally put him in the ground.
Despite working to integrate and belong, he was rejected and punished by those who were threatened or intimidated by his presence.

He said ‘I’ve been though war, and I’ve been though law and I’ve climbed that hill so cold Yeah I’ve been though more than you’ll ever know still they never let me go
He has experienced the worst of human violence and conflict, and has endured seemingly endless suffering and injustice without relief or release.

Oh yeah, I’ll spit it right, Yeah I’ll spit it right Oh I’ll spit it right back out. I will spit it right,I will spit it right,I will spit it right back out.
He is defiant and determined to resist and reject the forces that seek to limit or define him, and speaks truth to power without fear or hesitation.