Tile Tells the Spell

Lyrics

[Intro] Tile tells the spell—read the cracks in the floor We aimed at the heavens, found a hell at the door [Verse 1: Deep Male Rap] Mara keeps a matchbook folded under her sleeve Says the rent takes the bread and the bread takes the leave On the corner, old Mateo tunes four strings by ear While the sirens count the change in the pocket of fear I saw a banner say “be kind” over a locked clinic gate Saw a worker miss his daughter while he clocked in late So I carry both truths like a stone in each hand: Love thy neighbor—who made this hard land? [Pre-Chorus: Smoky Female Lead] Come close, don’t dress the wound in gold Your warm hand shakes, but it still can hold [Chorus: Female Lead and Male Choir] Tile tells the spell, tile tells the tale We aimed for the sky, came home through hell Love thy neighbor, break the labor’s chain Say it through the dust, say it through the rain Tile tells the spell, let the hard truth ring No crown, no cage gets to own a living thing [Verse 2: Deep Male Rap] Drum talk travels where the border signs end Three against two, then the whole block bends A violin cuts like a blade through the smoke Flute answers soft as a promise half-spoke Cuatro in the doorway, bass down low A China-blue phrase makes the cold walls go Then the floor drops out—one breath, one stare A high voice sparks from the back of the square [High Male Ad-libs] Read it! Say it! Hold fast! [Chorus: Female Lead, Male Choir, Ad-libs] Tile tells the spell, tile tells the tale We aimed for the sky, came home through hell Love thy neighbor, break the labor’s chain Say it through the dust, say it through the rain Tile tells the spell, let the hard truth ring No crown, no cage gets to own a living thing [Bridge: Female Lead] Mara lays the matchbook down by the door Mateo plays the tune they were silencing before No sermon makes a meal, no slogan pays the light But hands can build a table in the middle of the night [Break: Male Choir] Love thy neighbor Name the cost Love thy neighbor Count who’s lost [Final Chorus: Female Lead and Full Choir] Tile tells the spell, tile tells the tale We aimed for the sky, came home through hell Love thy neighbor, break the labor’s chain Say it through the dust, say it through the rain Tile tells the spell, let the hard truth ring No crown, no cage gets to own a living thing [Outro: Female Lead, High Male Ad-libs] Tile tells the spell… don’t let the words go pale Love thy neighbor… let the walls tell the tale