They Asked to Come

Got a penthouse up in Manhattan, twenty-third floor view Co-op board called an emergency meeting when they heard the news ‘Cause I got chickens on my rooftop and a pig named Lou My Wall Street neighbors think I’ve lost my mind — and maybe that’s true But it didn’t start up here — no, it started down at the ranch Where a hen and a piglet showed up one day, and I gave ’em half a chance They asked to come, I said “well… alright” Never figured they’d want to see the city lights

They asked to come, I had the room Now there’s life on my rooftop beneath the moon Between the garden and the stars, we found our place They asked to come, and so they stayed Teaching me more than the Dow ever paid You can rise without leaving the ground behind When they asked to come, I made the time

Monday through Friday I’m in meetings, making deals downtown But when those chickens sing the sunrise song, it’s the realest sound Weekends I drive out to the ranch, to breathe and be But I bring the city back in my bones — it’s part of me I need ’em both, or I’d lose who I am City sharpens me — the ranch tells me where I stand They don’t care about the Dow, don’t care about my game They just asked to come, and nothing’s been the same

They asked to come, I had the room Now there’s life on my rooftop beneath the moon Between the garden and the stars, we found our place They asked to come, and so they stayed Teaching me more than the Dow ever paid You can rise without leaving the ground behind When they asked to come, I made the time

My Wayist teacher said, “The ones who choose you they’re the mirrors — showing you what’s true” Lou don’t care about my portfolio, or my Wall Street game He wants his belly rubbed, and he knows exactly when dinner comes Hens lay their eggs like it’s a sacred little gift And my dog just looks at me… and something shifts Up this altitude, they keep me grounded down — Eight million souls out there — these are the realest I’ve found

So yeah, the neighbors filed complaints, the board’s still not amused I made my fortune playing by the rules — I get to pick which ones I use Community ain’t something that you plan You just make room, and see who shows their hand They asked to come, that’s when I chose The Wayist life, at any altitude it goes

They asked to come, I had the room Now there’s life on my rooftop beneath the moon Between the garden and the stars, we found our place They asked to come, and so they stayed Teaching me more than the Dow ever paid You can rise without leaving the ground behind When they asked to come, I finally came home

Board’s still mad Lou’s still in the herbs Three eggs today Twenty-three floors up… and somehow, home