rock on

[rock on, kiddo]

you say this music
the kind you like so much
the kind you play so often -
you say this music
is called rock.                              [i don't think something should be named
                                                    after such a solid object
                                                    if it hardly lands with a thud]
you say this music
is called rock -
and you say you play this
to make me smile.                      [well i can tell you, it ain't working]

the doctors say this music
is the last hope. they say that
after this, we can do nothing.    [i believe them]

you say, we can never just do
'nothing.' you say that music
is everything.                              [and yet, i don't get it...]

you say this 'rock,'
this music, makes you feel
alive.                                          [it ain't working. you say, it's a drum,
                                                    it's a heartbeat, it's a soul...
                                                    i feel nothing. rock on, kid]
you play until your fingers
are furrowed by the strings
until the music runs out
and the day runs in.

[let me tell you, kid, it ain't working. just
give up]

          but you say, you just can't give up.
          not when there's still music.

[well let me tell you again; give up.
if you want me to hear,

you'll have to rock a lot harder]