In Tune
Robert Glasper Lyrics

I heard him call out
I listened to someone crying in pain and agony.

I heard him call for his mother
The person was shouting for his mother, indicating he needed comfort and support.

And I didn't even call my mother
I failed to appreciate the presence of my mother and the love she offers, until I realized she could have been the one who needed me.

I wanted to avoid talking about the elephant in the room
I tried to ignore the obvious thing that everyone knew or felt but nobody wanted to address.

The pig on my neck
The heavy burden of guilt or shame that I carry around with me every day.

The devil on detail
The tendency to get lost in the small, insignificant parts of a problem, causing confusion and distraction.

We were born of a people who were torn from their people
Our ancestors were forcibly removed from their homeland, families, and culture, creating a sense of loss and disconnection.

For the root of all evil
This displacement was caused by the desire for wealth and power, which has historically led to oppression and exploitation of others.

From it, sprung the trunk, the branches, and the fruit of all evil
Every form of evil and injustice can be traced back to the greed and selfishness that motivated the slave trade and colonization.

Unless they need you, they act as if they don't see you
People often overlook or disregard those who are different from them, until they require their help or labor.

Besiege you, and tell you to cooperate
Those in power may force or manipulate others to do their bidding, even if it goes against their own interests.

As if it's something you agreed to
They may imply that people have willingly accepted this unequal and unjust system, rather than recognizing the structural oppression at play.

Before criminals constitution nothing's illegal
Those in power have the ability to write laws and constitutions that protect their interests, even if it means violating the rights of others.

Except people who were once property destroying property, upheaval
The law is used to punish those who resist oppression, even when they are fighting for their own freedom and dignity.

Keep your eye on the sparrow, the bald eagle
We must be attentive and cautious, watching out for predators who may try to take advantage of us.

Defeathered and beheaded at the stoop of the steeple
Symbols of freedom and hope, such as the American eagle, have been stripped of their meaning, and their misuse has led to violence and oppression.

Guarded by soldiers, stupid yet lethal
Those who enforce the law or order may be dangerous or unthinking, causing harm to innocent people as well as criminals.

It doesn't matter if a liar has a republic or democracy
Even in a system that claims to be democratic, those in power may manipulate or deceive the public to maintain their control.

Or monarchy, it's malarkey
The form of government does not matter as much as the intentions and actions of those in power.

But when we're on keys, we can unlock things
Music has the power to move people emotionally and spiritually, opening up new possibilities for understanding and growth.

Souls freed otherwise held hostage
Music can release us from the pain, fear, and negativity that can bind us to the past and prevent us from moving forward.

On the ebony and ivory with the heart of a gnostic
Through the black and white keys of a piano, a musician can explore and express the mysteries and truths of the universe.

But hands of a locksmith
Musicians are like masterful artisans who can create beauty and meaning, even out of materials that seem simple or ordinary.

A pharmacist, a prescription for the toxic
The music can heal and restore us, even when we are struggling with negative emotions or experiences.

Eating away at our subconscious
Negative experiences or beliefs can undermine our mental health and well-being, causing us to feel overwhelmed or stuck.

Eight-ball in the corner pocket, eight-ball on the corner cop it
The game of pool, like life, is full of complex outcomes and choices, where we may win or lose based on our skills, strategies, and luck.

How can we stop it when the cops and the robbers
Even those who are supposed to maintain order and justice may be corrupt or compromised by the same forces that keep others oppressed.

Money is their religion, they follow the same profits
The desire for wealth and success can be all-consuming, leading people to prioritize their own gain over the welfare of others or the common good.

Once we're in tune, oh
When we are connected to each other and aligned with our deepest values and aspirations, we can achieve great things and overcome even the most difficult challenges.

We can conduct the cosmos, conductor of the orchestra
When we work together and use our talents and resources wisely, we can create harmony and order even in the midst of chaos and diversity.

Conductor of the underground railroad
We can also be agents of positive change and liberation, helping people break free from their limitations and achieve their full potential.

Don't you see the kick, the thump, the heart
Music is not just a collection of sounds or rhythms, but a living and breathing expression of our deepest emotions, desires, and experiences.

The crashing cymbals as symbols of shields?
Music can also be a source of inspiration, courage, and unity, especially in the face of adversity or oppression.

No Captain America, no cap in America
The ideals of freedom, justice, and equality embodied by the comic book hero Captain America are often undermined or betrayed by the policies and actions of the US government.

If you're Black in a finger snap, fade to black in America
For people of color, especially Black people, the experience of being marginalized and erased is all too common, often leading to a loss of identity and self-worth.

More than mere melody
Music is a powerful force that can transform our lives, our communities, and our world, offering healing, connection, and liberation.

Using horn and string to quarantine from a disease
Music can also serve as a form of protection or refuge, shielding us from the negative influences and energies that can harm us or lead us astray.

That sees us as less as human and more as things
The oppressive forces that seek to exploit or control us often dehumanize and objectify us, treating us as mere tools or resources to be used and discarded.

So we don't play music, we pray music
When we make music, we are not just making sounds, but seeking a deeper connection with the divine and the transcendent, using our gifts to communicate and celebrate the beauty and mystery of life.

Those same nooses hang useless, raise the dead like Jesus did
Music can evoke powerful emotions and memories, helping us connect with our ancestors and honor the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before us.

Vivid, lucid dreams
Music can inspire us to imagine and create new possibilities, renewing our sense of hope and commitment to a better future.

Let loose in the pure hearts with divine acoustics
The beauty and power of music resides not just in the sounds and rhythms, but in the openness and purity of our hearts and souls, which allow us to receive and transmit the divine energy and inspiration that music embodies.

We lay blueprints at the blue note
Music can also be a form of activism and social commentary, creating a blueprint or vision for a more just and harmonious society.

I come from a people transmuted, transformed by song
For many cultures and communities, music is not just an art form or entertainment, but a central aspect of their identity, history, and resistance to oppression.

Until the musicians are translucent
When music becomes a part of our soul and our being, we can see through the facades and masks that the world presents, and escape the limitations and illusions that prevent us from achieving our true potential.

Until you see through them and see through this
Music can help us develop a sense of keen perception and intuition, which allows us to see beyond the surface level of things, and connect with the deeper truths and mysteries that underlie all of existence.

And bare witness to the oneness
Through music, we can experience a profound sense of unity and interconnectedness with all beings, recognizing our common destiny and purpose as inhabitants of this beautiful and fragile planet.

It's more than mere melody
Music is a profound and mystical force that defies easy explanation or categorization, touching our hearts, minds, and spirits in ways that we may never fully understand.

I'm in tune
As a musician and artist, I strive to connect with my own inner wisdom and creative power, as well as with the collective energy and inspiration that flows through all of us.

We're in tune
Together, with other artists and visionaries, we can create a harmonious and transformative world, where music, beauty, and love are the guiding forces that shape our destiny.