The Edge of the Switchblade

He had some wild hair and a wild mind
knew something ‘bout everything
A Shaman warrior, poet priest
Who loved to dance and sing
He could rock the house with style and nerve
knew when to take a chance
A mainline mellow who saw the future
And took a rebel stand
He was strong
He was not afraid

He was the edge of the switchblade
Cuttin’ edge of a switchblade
The cuttin’ edge of a switchblade
The cuttin’ edge of a switchblade

Chicago called, Festival of Life
We drove out and took the stand
Police riot, it was ultra-violence
The shit had hit the fan
Then London called said “come on over,
Bring your message across the sea”
We took our slams, kicked out the jams
Set some young minds free
It was all for the music
We barely got paid
Out on the edge of a switchblade
Cuttin edge of a switchblade

“Free your mind and your ass will follow”
It’s what I used to hear
Still I wonder just why it is
The truth brings out the fear
It's possible you can do great things
Just give yourself a break
Cause on the cutting edge you might get cut
But that’s the chance that you’ll have to take
You’ll be outside the mainstream
like a renegade
Out on the edge of a switchblade