Tile Tells the Spell

Lyrics

[Intro: female, low and smoky] Tile tells the spell—we aim, not going to hell Four love thy neighbor, cut the labor [Verse 1: deep male rap] A cracked blue tile in the doorway, salt in the seam Abuela said, “Name what you fear; don’t feed it a dream” So I wrote down the rent, every hand that was owed Every boss with a blessing and a boot on the road You can’t pray off a bruise or a bill past due Can’t call it holy when the hunger walks through But the block keeps a table; there’s a chair with your name And a match in the jar for the ones who came late [Pre-Chorus: female lead] Say it plain, let the old walls hear Love your neighbor, keep your labor clear [Chorus: female lead, male choir answers] Tile tells the spell, we aim—not going to hell Love thy neighbor, break the chain they sell Tile tells the spell, let the whole room tell Love thy neighbor; we are more than what they bill [Verse 2: deep male rap, shifting polyrhythm] Cuatro on the stair with a splintered-up grin Violin cuts a red line; let the night rush in Granddad’s drum says two, little cousin says three A flute bends the corner where the locked doors used to be No crown, no savior, just a pot on the flame Hands passing bread while we question the game I don’t want your pity or your polished parade I want the full wage and the debt erased [Break: high male ad-libs, then silence] Hey—look alive! Hey—stand your ground! [Female, whispered] Name the spell. [Choir, low] Break it down. [Chorus: female lead with rougher delivery, choir answers] Tile tells the spell, we aim—not going to hell Love thy neighbor, break the chain they sell Tile tells the spell, let the whole room tell Love thy neighbor; we are more than what they bill [Bridge: female lead, sultry and intense] If your door is shut, I’ll wait outside If your hands are tired, put the weight with mine No one gets free by leaving one behind Say it once for the living, twice for the ones denied [Final Chorus: full ensemble, varied call and response] Tile tells the spell! [Choir: We aim, we aim!] Not going to hell! [Choir: Not in your name!] Love thy neighbor! [Choir: Share the bread!] Cut the labor! [Choir: Pay the hands!] Tile tells the spell, let the whole room tell Love thy neighbor; we are more than what they bill [Outro: female lead, fading with choir] Tile tells the spell… Love thy neighbor… We are more than what they bill.