Explanations Songtext
von Gil Scott‐Heron

Oh, when I was, I was, oh, if you was, like-
Gimme just a, a second
What I was tryna say was, what happened was...
When I was, can I get a word in edgewise?

When I do what I do
Why must I keep giving you an explanation?
I am sure enough at a loss
When I have to deal with cross examinations
I thought it was surely well beyond
Any harm it may confirm investigation
But this is lucid and defensive
When I′m bumping up against your imagination

So we sat down and we talked it under
'Til there wasn′t nothing left of it
And it always makes me wonder
If I'm sitting here and talking to myself


When I say what I say
Why do you get in my way with intimidation?
I am only wasting time
Knowing you don't want to find no information

It′s like stepping under water
And getting nowhere fast
I wonder if it′s really worth the bother
And sometimes I feel like I may not last

Feeling like a treasure hunter looking for an explanation
Now what really happened was somethin' that you might believe
Looking for an argument and not an explanation
But you can′t get one with me
Take off

Feeling like a treasure hunter looking for an explanation
Now what really happened was somethin' that you might believe
Looking for an argument and not an explanation
But you can′t get one with me

Do what I do
Why must I keep giving you an explanation?
Girl it surely ain't no change
When it′s always the same investigation


It's like stepping under water
And getting nowhere fast
I wonder if it's really worth the bother
And sometimes I feel like I may not last

Can you dig it?
When I say what I say
Why do you get in the way with intimidation?
Girl it surely ain′t no change
I know it′s always the same confrontations

Yeah I'm just a couple minutes late
And you look like the jury great Perry Mason