I need a reason to get up before I wash my face 
The junkies, the Hookers, the dealers the place 
kickin' off my covers trippin' off the fact 
that I haven't called my gramma in a long, long time 
standin in the shower for almost half an hour 
Tryin' to wake up and I'm lookin for the power 
reachin' for the towel with soap in my eyes 
dryin' off my shoulders, my chest, and my thighs 
The next thing I know the telephone rings 
I hear my own voice on the answering machine 
please leave a message I'm glad ya called 
I listen for a voice but there's nothin' at all 
Man oh Man 
I gotta kick the blues 
and pay respect where respect is due 
all praises to GOD the one I return to 
the one I can turn to 
when I'm feelin burned to the bone 

(chorus) 

Early in the morn before I wash my face 
a hundred thousand miles is a lonely place 

At six in the morning she rolled outa bed 
stared out the window and then she said 
that I wasn't her type... 
I think she's runnin outa types though...and I told her so. 
She picked up her things and walked through the door 
and then said that she couldn't see me no more 
just as she was leaving I asked her if she'd call 
she didn't look back said nuttin at all 
I didn't change my clothes because they smell like you 
and when I took a shower it reminded me of you 
I called Gramma Brown for advice 
it happened to me once it happened to me twice 
Michael my son you sound really bugged 
I wish that you were here so I could to you give 
a hug then she gave me a long, long talk 
she said "you have the patience of ice on a sidewalk" 
when things get rough don't sweat it 
sometimes in life you just have to let it 
and sing out a song so strong 
that even a bad dream couldn't bring harm 
to the mind of a young childs battles 
formed from the candle light shadows 
her voice is like a whispering kiss on the forehead 

(chorus) 
Early in the morn before I wash my face 
The bedisstill warmbut there's an empty space 
Early in the mornin beforeIwashmy face 
a hundred thousand miles is a lonely place 

In the last thirty minutes before I fall asleep 
when I have said my prayers and I have brushed my teeth 
This is the time when I am forced to think about 
all of the things I been tryin to forget about 
The Bills, the phone, cleanin up my room 
the cars, the traffic, the speakers and the boom 
alone I remember the times with me and you 
and I realize my heart is shakin' up the room 
Gramma she would tell us about the glory days 
and gramma she would tell us about when we were slaves 
in the livin' room pianos outa tune 
on top of it the pictures of every bride and groom 
child/ grand child lost child 
every single tear shed every single smile 
'cause everybodies got alota shit to deal with 
and life doesn't stop it just makes ya feel it 
so shake the dust offa your feet 
take a step forward liberate with the beat 
so for you I wrote this song 
I wanted you to hear it before you are gone. 
the African in me the Seminole in me 
These are some a things my grandmother gave 
to me some believe there are and some believe there 
ain't if ever there was one my gramma Brown she is a saint 

(chorus) 
Early in the morn before I wash my face 
The bed isstill warmbut there'san empty space 
Earlyin themornin before I wash my face 
a hundred thousand miles is a lonely place