Some kind of slime is on the water
Jackals circling the band
Let the lambs be led to slaughter
Comes a time to make a stand
Even brave men fear the lion
But they don’t leave him wounded in the grass
Don’t run away, and don’t be sighin’
Face whatever trouble comes to pass

Pound for pound
Round for round
Measure for measure
They won’t defend you
No one’ll send you
Grace under pressure

As the silent moon advances
White hunter sleeping with your wife
Six vultures squatting in the branches
Waiting on your short unhappy life
Can’t say you didn’t have a warning
She kissed him right before your very eyes
See their faces in the morning
Hear their laughter and their filthy lies

Pound for pound
Round for round
Measure for measure
No one’ll lift you
No, they won’t gift you
Grace under pressure

Let them laugh, you brave bush ranger
Cape buffalo can’t run you down
Be the one to scoff at danger
Take the charge and stand your ground
Man in the mirror ain’t getting younger
Long past the time to pay his dues
Just time to satisfy the hunger
After all what else you got to lose?

Pound for pound
Round for round
Measure for measure
No angel guides you
No god provides you
Grace under pressure

What makes you think that this is bravery,
To kill for trophies on your wall?
Is it freedom or is it slavery?
Can you reclaim your self-respect at all?
Don’t matter now, your life has ended
Everything you’ve learned is all in vain.
Who knows just what your wife intended
When she fired that bullet to your brain?

Pound for pound
Round for round
Measure for measure
Who’ll lay it on you,
Bestow upon you
Grace under pressure?

June 25, 2024; April 30-May 6, 2025

Copyright © 2024 by Michael Kim Roos