“Play My Cards” by Jesse Hershkowitz

When I met Jesse, a.k.a. ‘Urbalist’, this year, I could immediately tell that he had a very positive and amazing energy about him. His story over overcoming the challenges that he was faced with post diagnosis and what he has accomplished in his career in the Hip-Hop arena is a testament to who he is as a person and as a ‘Survivor’. I asked Jesse to submit one of his songs to “Voices of Survivors” and he chose: “Play My Cards”. Before reading the lyrics, here is what Jesse had to say about his song.

Jesse: “‘Play My Cards’ was conceived and written toward the very beginning of my treatment.  I had spent the entire day fearfully anticipating and speculating what was in store for me and finally I just reached the decision that no matter what it was, I was going to play the hand I was dealt and play it well.  So I sat up all night with a buddy of mine who had a guitar. He played a melody out for me and I wrote the song.  When it came time to record it, I chose a really powerful beat that I had made instead of the mellow guitar that it was originally written to. I think that was a great decision because the song itself is powerful and the beat I chose for it brought it all together.”

I’ve left the Hip-Hop lyrical conventions in his piece (i.e. Verse/Bars/Hook/etc.) so the reader understands the intent in what Jesse has created with his song.

Play My Cards
By Jesse Hershkowitz a.k.a. ‘Urbalist’

Verse 1 – (16 bars)

I’m gonna play my cards, and never blame my stars,

In this game, I will maintain, and try to gain my yards.

No way, I ain’t ready for an early grave,

I must live, and so I’ve got to be superbly brave.

I’ve got to play my hand, I’ve got to make my drive.

So keep the chemo coming, I have got to stay alive.

I will not fold, I’m not old, I need to play,

I need to say I wont give up, I’ve got to seize the day.

I got my game face on, technique is grade ‘A’.

My doctors told me I’d be fine and I believe what they say.

It takes time, it takes a strong mind and body,

It takes more strength than Mighty Mouse combined with Rocky.

It takes a lot of guts, but luckily that’s just what I’ve got,

Cause I will not quit, that’s it, I’ve got to come out on top.

And so I play my cards until the day that I drop,

I’m not gonna fold, instead I’m gonna wait for the flop.

Hook

I play the cards that I’m dealt and I’ll never fold,
But I hardly accept never getting old.
Life is hard and you bet that its getting cold,
But I’m smart, so I only play the cards I hold.

Verse 2 – (16 bars)

I’ve got to stay in it, and give a hundred percent,

Cause if I don’t its gonna be something that I‘m gonna regret.

First step, forget feeling sorry for myself,

Then re-prioritize what’s important for my health.

I can only play my hand with the cards that I’ve been dealt,

In a year this cancer will be a notch on my slim belt.

I melt ice mountains of pain and drain fountains,

It ain’t even worth making a sound if you ain’t shoutin’.

No doubt, you’re gonna hear me loud and clear,

I’ve shed some tears, but I will not lay down for fear.

Playin’ with skill, feelin’ healthy though they say that I’m ill,

I will be cured, and that’s for sure, it’s a display of my will.

Ay’o, this cancer can’t kill me, I’ma’ kill it instead,

There ain’t enough room for both of us, I’m killin’ it dead.

And I’m the same guy, I’ve always been a big dog, bred.

The only difference is that now I’ve got a big bald head.

Hook

I play the cards that I’m dealt and I’ll never fold,
But I hardly accept never getting old.
Life is hard and you bet that its getting cold,
But I’m smart, so I only play the cards I hold.

Bridge

One card, Two cards, Three cards, Four,

Five card draw, deal me in, I want more.

Six cards, Seven card stud, What’s good?

I play the hand that I’m dealt better than anyone could.

Hook

I play the cards that I’m dealt and I’ll never fold,
But I hardly accept never getting old.
Life is hard and you bet that its getting cold,
But I’m smart, so I only play the cards I hold.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 at 12:52 pm and is filed under written word and tagged with Blood Cancer, Jesse Hershkowitz, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Urbalist.