Cellular breakdown

Seventeen calendars

All on the same gray wall

Paint peel on the window

Name carved in the metal stall

Countin' cracks in concrete

Like they owe me back my time

Every click of that deadbolt

Tattooed across my spine

My Cellular breakdown

Bars in my body, bars in my head

So many souls lost, baby

Too many talkin' to the dead

They used our minds for shackles

Now my chains fall on the ground

I walked out that gate this mornin'

I'm one more soul found

Seen a strong man shiver

Over letters never sent

Kid turn into a stranger

Learnin' anger like it’s rent

Guard boots in the hallway

Gospel hum behind the door

Hope traded for a coffee

Luck dealt on a concrete floor

My Cellular breakdown

Bars in my body, bars in my head

So many souls lost, baby

Too many talkin' to the dead

They used our minds for shackles

Now my chains fall on the ground

I walked out that gate this mornin'

I'm one more soul found

They said, "Boy, this is forever"

I said, "Watch me count the days"

Turn a cage into a chapel

Turn a scar into a phrase (oh yeah)

If power lives in the people

Then the people gotta choose

I took back my reflection

Gave it these Chicago blues

My Cellular breakdown

Bars in my body, bars in my head

So many souls lost, baby

Too many talkin' to the dead

They used our minds for shackles

Now my chains fall on the ground

I walked out that gate this mornin'

I'm one more soul found