Roger Troutman
Been This Way Before
[Verse 1]
Seems to me, that I've been this way before
I've seen some of this, where, I'm not sure
Maybe in my dreams, or a story told
I'll know these warning even through a blindfold
(Ooh...) I know this path has an evil lead
Well, placed in the leaves of the summer trees
Blowing freely, freely in the breeze
Evil blowing, blowing in the breeze
Off to my side, in its ugly disguise
But I have no fear, 'cause I've been here

[Chorus]
I've been this way before (yeah, brother)
The path is dark and so unsure
Filled with warnings, that we all ignore
Keep your eyes open
(So you don't miss the door)
Keep my eyes open
(So I don't miss that door)
Keep our eyes open
(So we don't miss the door)

[Verse 2]
Ooh, little children, hear what I've got to say
Choose real careful, so that you don't go astray
This journey will seem useless
Without wine, women, fun and song
Oh, but too much of this just may do you wrong
This road has so may (too many)
Cross ways and walkways, and highways and byways
Faux ways and mown ways, and right ways and wrong ways
So many ways (so may ways)
[Chorus]
I've been this way before (yeah, brother)
The path is dark and so unsure
Filled with warnings, that we all ignore
Keep your eyes open
(So you don't miss the door)
Keep my eyes open
(So I don't miss that door)
Keep our eyes open
(So we don't miss the door)

[Verse 3]
Ahead lies a flower, look at it shining so fine
Shining in its splendor, waiting there to hinder
But I know, I know, I know that it's poison ivy
Poison ivy that reminds me of a friend
It was not my friend, but an enemy
(Poison to me, my friend)
Oh, he offered me a pill, said my pain it would quill
But his pill only gave me a quick, quick thrill
Enslavement, yes, for the slow, slow kill
All joy from life this dope would steal
So I gave him back his pill, and his cheap, cheap thrill
'Cause the thought of dope gives me a cold chill
People get the legal stuff that they steal
And you'll be better off from now until
See I know, 'cause I've been here before
[Chorus]
I've been this way before (yeah, brother)
The path is dark and so unsure
Filled with warnings, that we all ignore
Keep your eyes open
(So you don't miss the door)
Keep my eyes open
(So I don't miss that door)
Keep our eyes open
(So we don't miss the door)

[Verse 4]
I know, I know that I'm only a dream
Or so it would seem
'Cause in real life you never go twice
Just follow my song and my advice
Then you'll know my journey is only the path of life
(It's only the path of life)
All joy from life this dope would steal

[Chorus]
I've been this way before (yeah, brother)
The path is dark and so unsure
Filled with warnings, that we all ignore
Keep your eyes open
(So you don't miss the door)
Keep my eyes open
(So I don't miss that door)
Keep our eyes open
(So we don't miss the door)