Lyrics From Michael TroyBack>>

The Thief

1. I lit me a smoke - I was riding my cloud
Admiring the trees, riding the breeze.
And I looked around and I saw me a town
I couldn't believe what was going down

I saw big White House mansions, and little humble shacks
There were people in rags, with bags on their backs
Some walked in a straight line and some walked intact
Some wandered way off the track

Chorus

And I asked my father, How can this be?
In a land of such promise. In the home of the free?
He said, Don't make conclusions and don't be naive.
There are givers, there are takers, and there are thieves?

2. I lowered my cloud for a closer look
I took a robe and some sandals and a history book
And I walked on the beach with a curious eye
I was watching the fish boats go by.

I saw men hard at work, drowning in sweat
I saw men on the beach, mending their nets
The best dressed were buyers, grooming their tails
I could see that the money was in sales.

Chorus

I asked my father, "How can this be?"
He said, What you're thinking, ain't what you see.
Some are lost, some are found, some will never be pleased.
Some are winners, some are snoozers, some are thieves?

3. I took a long, thoughtful walk and a bottle of wine.
I was feeling confused. I needed some time.
I met a salesman in the desert who could sing like a lark.
I said, "I'm hungry." He sold me a rock.

I said I needed direction and he led me to a cliff.
He said, "Show me what you're made of boy. I know you can fly.
All this can be yours, as far as you see.
I'll do for you. You do for me."

Chorus

And I asked my father, "How can this be?
Rocks to eat, cliffs to fly. What's he selling me?
Can you send me a cloud? I need some relief.
I'm in the palm of the hand of the thief."

4. I opened my book to read for awhile.
To take my mind off my dilemma , the hunger and the heat.
Then I noticed off in the distance an angel-hair cloud
And that salesman beat feet.

Chorus

My father approached and I fell to my knees.
I said, "Thank you for coming. You've kept me alive."
We floated away in the angel-hair ark.
And the thief ran away with the rock.