Aesop Rock - One Of Four lyrics

1 of 4

My name is Ian Mathias Bavitz
I was born in one-nine-seven-six
At Syosset hospital
Located in Long Island, NY i am six foot
Four i weigh two-zero-zero pounds
I have brown hair, and green eyes
I enjoy writing songs, painting, movies
And diner food
I have two brothers, Chris and Graham
And two parents, Paul and Damita
In August of two-zero-zero-one, I went crazy

This was originally not
For public consumption
This was made for four people
Four people that literally saved my life
They know who they are and uh
I mean I could live to be a
Thousand years old and never repay them


I don't think this song would pay for them
But hopefully by putting it out
It'll push the thank you a little further

This ain't a burner for the whips
(No, it isn't) this ain't even Aesop Rock
Fly earthworm demeanor (No, it isn't)
My name is Ian Mathias Bavitz, and I
Was born in Long Island, New York
Seventy-six before Graham and after Chris oK

In August of two thousand one
My seemingly splinter-proof brain
Bone-scaffolding imploded
I kept it on the hush, but nearly tumbling
To the cold hard concrete
On mere bodega trips
For cigarettes and soda, shook me to Casper
Dizzy with an argent chaser
Motor sensory eraser
Agoraphobe tunnel-vision, guilt
Self-loathing arrangement
Rose rapidly out a bog I'd never fished in
That abates three separate foreign meds
While I was used
To hook-line-and-sinker-simple fission
Simple, primitive, self taught
Easing of soul, mind and body
But the symptoms rejected my
Caveman Modus Operandi
So now it's one fish, belly up
Through medicated mileage
And shrinks that get $250 an
Hour for awkward silence
And, I'd be lying if I said all of this
Made even the slightest fragment
Of sense to me that's real simply put
I don't know what happened
Or what's still happening
I literally feel like I'm teetering on
The blunt edge of my sanity

JAMIE, I killed the robots and I'm sorry
Broke down in front of you embarrassed
But you lent a heart and
Hand that only you could
You're one of my best friends and, yes
I'd take that bullet for you that's my word
Which is about all I have left

TONY, I know you know I'm crazy
'cause you told me
But that didn't ever bother you
I hold you as my brother 'til death
And I got your back if
Ever the drunk goblins step
For makin' a cat laugh
When I was walking with the dead

KATHERINE, mother figure
Older sister concerned beyond limit's
Letting me know I wasn't the
Only one with this
Continuous offers for vacation
Chicago visit's
Talked me through repair of a
Head full of broken pistons

RIYAH, for the late night movie rentals
And the company I needed
An' you knew it, but I just wouldn't admit it
You'd listen to me blab about
My issues for hours offer incredible advice
Gave me a hug when I was finished

Am I a jack of all trades?
Nope i like to write songs, though
Are they good? I dunno
But I could tell you that I only
Write shit down when I believe it
So take this how you want, but know I mean it
I want you all to know that I'm
Scared out my fuckin' crooked soul
Never faced a monster like the last few
Months ever in my whole life
I wish I could explain this better (I can't)
But the pieces won't formulate it to
Anything even close to cohesive
So I guess this is my feeble way to thank you
Four soldiers that extended something sacred
Off the purity of kindness
I owe you all my life and
Please don't argue with that statement
'Cause without y'all I may not
Have a life to offer, take it thank you

I wish I could explain this better

Thank you

I'm sorry for burdening your pleasures

Thank you

I love you all with all that's left of me
(Thank you) for helping try to kill what
Made a mess of me (Thank you)
Somehow, someway (Thank you)
I'mma get you back someday (Thank you)
Just gotta figure this all out so

I guess it is kind of funny when you
Look at it from a step back
How one man can literally buckle
Under the same pressures
Other men operate normally under
I have scoped this out from all angles
Multiple times
I have been over everything in my head
'til I can't think anymore
But I guess sometimes, when
You can't breathe, there are people there
To breathe for you i am lucky enough to have
Those people around me
Thank you for helping me to not die

Thank you for helping me to not die

Pocket full of pennies, and a soul gone tilt
Cockpit full of memories and a
Drain full of guilt