Blackalicious - The Craft lyrics

[Chorus] This Craft, this beat, this rhyme, this vibe This style, they say music gives new life From a source inside that is forever flowin' This stage, this mic, this crowd, this show This life, I've been given a gift tonight And for that, I vow to be a vessel [Gift of Gab - Verse One] I didn't have to be, given the gift to rip I'll never master me, I know that it's from Him or Her or It, dimensions that sit Waitin' to sift through me, I fall short, still it hits me swift I didn't have to see, I coulda hit the lick I coulda drifted it quick, I coulda quit so quick It's really a trip, I guess I was picked I don't know what I did to deserve a ride like this (Damn!) I didn't have to eat, I coulda been so thin I didn't have to be, quoting these sentences I didn't have to reap, the work put in but then even the work in itself was such a blessin I didn't have to see, the planet lip to lip I didn't have to make, a livin' writ to writ I didn't have to dream and then begin to live it And for that, I vow to be a vessel [Chorus] This Craft, this beat, this rhyme, this vibe This style, they say music gives new life From a source inside that is forever flowin' This stage, this mic, this crowd, this show This life, I've been given a gift tonight And for that, I vow to be a vessel [Verse Two] I give thanks for my rhymin' ability I don't front like it's not a responsibility I can open a mind, if the youth will listen to me I'm not goin' to front, like I'm on some k**in' spree and as hard as the times are, God is livin' through beats that come not from minds, but that travel through spiritual reasons Some of the time, I feel like, it's not even me No mon-ey can buy gateways to infinity Still I'm hun-gry to shine, when I know I should let it be I want but I have, every single thing that we need So help me align self with soul and then I'll be free To sculpt and design verbal styles and experience freedom [Chorus] This Craft, this beat, this rhyme, this vibe This style, they say music gives new life From a source inside that is forever flowin' This stage, this mic, this crowd, this show This life, I've been given a gift tonight And for that, I vow to be a vessel [Chief Xcel samples] "Let go, do what's in front of you" "Then, let go, then do what's in front of you" [Verse Three] This ain't leisure, although it feels It is a duty, a way to live, another way to give Another way to just, have communion With the source of the sun and moon and, a way to pay the bills Displayin' sk**s, I take it REAL serious The vibe's so mysterious, not just one more day to k** ..and I could lose my connection if I do not respect it enough, fffade away it will Day to day it gives energies That replenish me, if I believe and I say it will and act on it, 'cause action is the key to freedom Only way to be a leader, lead by the way you live [Chorus x3] This Craft, this beat, this rhyme, this vibe This style, they say music gives new life From a source inside that is forever flowin' This stage, this mic, this crowd, this show This life, I've been given a gift tonight And for that, I vow to be a vessel