The Book of Soul

## Song by Ab-Soul

"**The Book of Soul**" is a song by Ab-Soul, released as the 16th track from his album *Control System* (2012). It interpolates Leon Russell's "A Song for You" and samples Bobby McFerrin's "Moondance" and MF Doom's "Burdock Root." The track talks about his struggle with Stevens-Johnson syndrome since he was ten years old, and the suicide of former girlfriend, Alori Joh. He told MTV News in 2013 that it was "the most difficult song I'll ever have to write" and added, "I really don't like to speak on it like that because it's one of those things that was necessary for me to do, but I don't really wanna take too much fame or credit for that. It was a record that I had to do based on the actual story of the song."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro]

Saucy

[Verse 1]

Your momma told me, "Read the Book of Job"

They should've called it the Book of Soul

I came into this hurtful Earth in perfect health

Caught Stevens-Johnson syndrome when I was 10 years old

Internal and external fever, 80%...

Fatality rate at that time, ain't that some shit?

Severe pinkeye, my eyes swollen shut

For like two or three months, it's still bright as fuck

Oh, and I even lost my lip skin

Grew back darker than its original pigment

Skin disfigured from boils and blisters

Unidentifiable by my little sister

Come to think of it, I could've got a crazy check

The shrink thought I'd be traumatized, but I'ma ride

My first years of Junior High School were not alright

Them dimes wouldn't give me no time, no, not a nod

I mean not even you, we eventually got cool

But I was nobody, you was the hottest hottie in the school

Or the world to me, not saying that 'cause I'm your dude

I'm glad I got to watch the woman that you blossomed to

Ironic, we always had the same classes

I copied off your work

And you ain't always have the right answers

But it worked, mama, thanks a lot

Probably wouldn't have even graduated had you not

Somewhere down the line, we became an item

The love was in the air like this flight I'm lighting

The first few years were so exciting

Got deeper in this rap and started pushing shit back

My money got funny, you wanted to go on dates

I had a Sounwave beat tape tryna beat Drake

Could've spent every minute with you, but I had to get it

For me and you, you sing too, so you knew the business

I know it was hard, but you stayed down

My fam had doubts, you told me you was proud

I did some things, you did some things, always came back together

We knew the only way to make it work is work together

Seven whole years, seven whole years

It was supposed to end with our grandkids

Luckily for me, I'm used to being cut short

I'm such a nice guy, why, Lord?

Why Lori? Why you had to take her from me?

Guess He needed your angel face for all of Heaven to see

Your picture's still on my mirror, and it's so scary

I swear I still ain't looked at your obituary

So now, I'm so doped up, I think I'm flying

I hope this spliff'll never finish

I guess the Mayans wasn't lying

2012, my world ended

You used to say that I could see the future

You was wrong, 'cause you was in it

And I was just with you the day before

You said you loved me, I said I loved you more

And as much I wanna cower, bid the mic adieu

And fall off a fucking tower tryna find you

I gotta stay 'cause I remember that day

I looked you in the face and told you:

"Nothing can stop me, not even you"

Stick to the plan, I'll meet you at our spot

If reincarnation is true and we don't get too lost

Even if you forget me and everything you left behind

I never lied, I love you in a place where there's no space and time

I close my eyes, and I can still hear you singing loud

We never got to tell them who The Love Religion was about

I ain't finna stage a cry in this rhyme

Signed, sincerely yours, I live to let you...

[Interlude: BJ the Chicago Kid & Ab-Soul]

Dot-da, da-da-da

Da-da, da-da, da

Shine

Da da da, da-da-da-da

Oooh...

[Verse 2: Ab-Soul]

Everything I love the most gets taken away

My momma and music is next

And if that happens before I turn 28

Then I'm going out with Kurt Cobain

I still believe in God, we just ain't never spoke

Unless we talkin' symbolically—then, I might agree

But if you really wanna look at it that way

Then, ayy, man, God don't like me

I refuse to believe that

But what's acceptable is anything's possible, but nobody's special

My ma took my TV, Clem took my radio

Now, I'm on TV and on the radio

[Coda: Ab-Soul]

Don't be dethroned by these systems of control

Just keep your fingers crossed and get them locks off your soul

Don't be dethroned by these systems of control

Just keep your fingers crossed and get them locks off your soul

[Outro]

Soul!

## References

1. ↑ Alexis, Nadeska (February 25, 2013). "Ab-Soul Had To Address Alori Joh's Death On 'The Book Of Soul'". *MTV*.