Up & Rise - Hazmat Modine

Wendell Sparks was a green crusader

Runnin' errands on a 3-speed Schwinn

Dodgin' taxis;

a kamikaze

Slippin' out as they were sliding in

In October, paid on a Sunday

Rain is coming, got to get back home

No handing;

he’s moving

The street is empty and he’s all alone

Loose gravel;

the wheels are slippin'

He hits the pavement with a jolt of pain

Wendell knew it;

he blew it

Say goodbye before you change your name

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you speak my praise

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you tell some lies

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you dig my grave

(Whoa oh oh)

I’m gonna up and rise

I’m gonna up and rise

On the roof, in late November

John is angry, but the leak won’t stop

He had a drink (huh), he’s not sober

To keep him warm, but not a lot

Wind is whippin', the night is comin'

His shoes are heavy and his hands are numb

He’s poundin';

he’s slippin'

He feels he’s shifting but what’s done is done

Slowly falling, he hears his calling

He asks foregiveness from his sullen wife

«Please, Mary.

I’m so sorry

I’ll make you happy in another life.»

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you speak my praise

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you tell some lies

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you dig my grave

(Whoa oh oh)

I’m gonna up and rise

I’m gonna up and rise

From her meeting, so disturbing

The boss is cruel and she’s losing faith

Rosina leaves the building

She feels like crying, but she’s got to wait

On the way to the subway station

Conversations runnin' in her head

She wants to quit;

she can’t hack it

The kids are hungry and she needs a breath

Down the stairs, she’s descending

The train is waiting but it rolls along

She’s running;

her mind is spinning

Now she’s fallen and the train is gone

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you speak my praise

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you tell some lies

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you dig my grave

(Whoa oh oh)

I’m gonna up and rise

I’m gonna up and rise

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you speak my praise

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you tell some lies

(Whoa oh oh)

Before you dig my grave

(Whoa oh oh)

I’m gonna up and rise

I’m gonna up and rise