1. |
Maple Sap
00:55
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Alright let me give you the rundown of the day
I’m from south of our lake, but I jumped out of the plane
Wasn’t scared to do it
Had a parachute and a pair of boots
And parents who could have spared a few if I erred in moving
So through the air I’m moving
I said, “This is it, Lord”, pulled the ripcord
Then hit the shore of the 6
Nice tower
Been living here for a minute now
My second spring
This city’s ours
Clock talk
I’m doing well and can already say
I’ve picked a gal that is great
Man, God is key
Lock talk
So I’m done fishing
Got my line stored
Now it’s Time Lords when we watch a stream
Doc talk
Scree scree scree
Hawk talk
I use the TTC
And stop talking about how bad it is
Compared to where I’m from this is rabbit quick
Underground trains? That’s a magic trick
Yo
I was made in St. Catharines and made a saint through baptism
I made it back to making tracks
And this time with label backing
No way to hack this
A slow process, but the flow’s awesome
Maple sap
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2. |
Middle Name
03:35
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Cooking up raps in my bachelor pad
In St. Katts, freestyling to catch some laughs
No master plan, no scheme for the cream
Though it seemed like my chances were half and half
But my last name lacked impact and magic
And I’d feel more relaxed if I had a mask
Should I have a stage name? Okay great
Hmm. Danger makes my life sound action packed
And that’s the joke. I’m a rapper, yo
Self consciously wearing snapbacks to shows
But years after I feel like rap is home
And I can come out my shell. Pistachio
No capes. No characters
No mask even though it’s way more scarier
Still me how I rep from the very first
Pair o’ words ’til I gotta jet like a carrier
No suit or webs to shoot
No gold lasso when I tell the truth. It’s okay
I ain’t afraid of a little change
I guess now Danger is my middle name
I mean sure. It’s a sweet word
But in these terms it’s a feet first leap
Think it’s high time I tried the high dive
Toes to the sky and my teeth to the sea
And get down with the manta rays
Rocking only swim trunks and a family name
I hope my fan base understands, but hey
Either way I can say that I can’t complain
Because y’all been so good to me
Letting a rapper open up like a book to read? Mm
So whether comic or non-fic it’s honestly
On with the show while I push the dream. But this time
No capes. No characters
No mask even though it’s way more scarier
Still me how I rep from the very first
Pair o’ words ’til I gotta jet like a carrier
No suit or webs to shoot
No gold lasso when I tell the truth. It’s okay
I ain’t afraid of a little change
I guess now Danger is my middle name
No capes no mask
I wholeheartedly face those facts
Get it? Mask? Face? Eye hole? Ya, I’m cold
No cure when the rhymes get to my throat
I don’t do it to the half like a 9-hole
All night long for the track like I’m Lionel
Fine bro. I’ll let my bloodline show
So tribal. Rolling in a group like a slime mould
Because slime moulds are single-celled organisms
That come together to form reproductive structures
They’re basically nature’s version of the Megazord from Power Rangers
Which I wasn’t allowed to watch as a kid
Unless I was at a friend’s house and they were watching it anyways
So I saw maybe three like episodes
But that didn’t stop me from drawing many, many pictures
Of these costumed heroes
Speaking of which
No capes. No characters
No mask even though it’s way more scarier
Still me how I rep from the very first
Pair o’ words ’til I gotta jet like a carrier
No suit or webs to shoot
No gold lasso when I tell the truth. It’s okay
I ain’t afraid of a little change
I guess now Danger is my middle name
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3. |
Alone (Remix)
03:21
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I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
Me, myself and I are hanging out and watching videos
I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
At the comic shop or on a walk or chilling in my home
I’ll be back. I’ll be back way before you know
I just need a little time to charge up like I was a phone
So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
I used to fantasize about living by myself
Hiding out in a tiny house in the wild and denying help
And if I had to drive into town to buy an item then, well
I’d speak only as needed, the quietest clientele, yo
And if that kind of sounds weird then rewind about
Fifteen years from that time and I’m a child now
Excited when invited out, but parties might as well
Have been wakes the way how they came and my excitement fell
Why? I’m not shy, as far as I can tell
Put me in a room with anybody else and I can gel
But over time I started finding out that I do well
In small groups and rest best alone inside my shell
A turtle. Some would say introverted
At first I thought it a hurdle to jump when I get the courage
Then I learned it’s not a curse. It’s a gift. It’s in my person
And personal care is needed for me to begin to flourish
So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
Me, myself and I are hanging out and watching videos
I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
At the comic shop or on a walk or chilling in my home
I’ll be back. I’ll be back way before you know
I just need a little time to charge up like I was a phone
So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
I remember when it sunk in for the first time
Leading a Bible program at a summer camp and we’re like
Chillin’ with the kids. Some of them would sit by themselves. I was telling
The leaders to sit by them. Well, they said, “I’m pretty sure they’re fine
Sometimes kids just need us all to give them space
You mean I’m not serving them being all up in their face
That means breaking off and seeking solitude is okay
But wait. Aren’t relationships part of running in this race
It seems there’s a tension to walk on this road
Between investing in friends and venturing off on your own
And community’s hard, but we need to talk about both
Because I realized I could be just as awkward alone
So that weekend I took a paddle board out onto the lake
With this newfound permission I had to take some space
It was great. The silence, the sky, the waves
And the couple on the tower who were trying to have a date. Sorry guys, but
I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
Me, myself and I are hanging out and watching videos
I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
At the comic shop or on a walk or chilling in my home
I’ll be back. I’ll be back way before you know
I just need a little time to charge up like I was a phone
So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone
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4. |
Real You
02:59
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We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
No, no
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
Hmmm. What’s the best way to word this
Courage takes heart. You’re sharing enough sherbet
Mm, No. But if we reverse it, I bet
Sure enough, sharing your heart takes courage
And guess what. It’s totally worth it
One real bar beats ten fake verses
One real you beats thirty fake versions
Honesty’s a pool. Someone’s gotta be the first in
So why not take the leap? Kermit
Others might take your lead
The person we be on the surface can weaken or nourish
And truth is the juice. Gotta squeeze it and serve it up
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
No, no
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
I read a message on the wall of a stall once
Dude wrote, When I keep it real then they all run
If I want a friend then I feel like I gotta front
Sounds awful, bruh. Wish I could offer some
Expert advice on the topic like a doctor does
We’d get Ph-deep in it a chop it up
I’m not a solve-it-quick columnist all I got is this
With our knowledge of the problem we can make stop with us
So you be a safe place for others
Regardless of traditions, shapes, tastes or colours
I believe we were made great and our suffering
Aids us in discovering gateways to each other
Yeah, and listening leads to knowing
Admitting we’re needy leads to permission to cease the posing
Our similar genes and coding are hints of the peace and hope
In the distance. I clean my robe in a river of hemoglobin
And I keep it goin’
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
No, no
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
No, no
We need the real you
We need the real you
We need the real you
And nothing else will do
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5. |
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God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
No no no no no no
God, I won’t
People worrying about their future
Some stressing about their past
Divvied up into winners and losers
Broken down to the first and the last
But the last will be first
That’s how the world actually works
Can’t see it all yet, but the grass and the birds
Get their fashion and snacks from the Earth
So how much more you, surpassing in worth
All of that will secure what you need
Why is it the poor who can be the most generous
And money can’t cure us of greed
Happy are the mourners, the pure and merciful
Blessed are the persecuted church and the meek
With you, Lord, we can stand firm on our feet
Even when it hurts to believe
God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down
No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
No no no no no no
No no no no no no
God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down
No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
No no no no no no
No no no no no no
I won’t fall
I won’t fall when it feels like the easy route
I won’t fall through the cracks, but I’m leaking out
It doesn’t seem that bad, but to leave it now
Would lead to death. Don’t leave me. I need you now
Reach down with the key and release me
Bound up in the same schemes on repeat
Deep down I am crafty, but deeper down
I’ve been crafted to please you. So please
Let me rest in your fortress
You’re my refuge and portion
You’re the refugee, orphan
And widow’s endorser, defender and fortune
You don’t let go or forfeit
I’ll enter your courts where the best of support
Comes direct from the source
You’re a rescuing force to be reckoned with
For me forever. My glory in heaven
God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down
No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
No no no no no no
No no no no no no
God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down
No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down
No no no no no no
No no no no no no
I won’t fall
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6. |
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Your laws are wonderful
No wonder I obey them
The teaching of your word gives light
So even the simple can understand
I pant, thirst with expectation
Longing for your commands
Come and show me your mercy
Guide my steps by your word
So I will not be overcome
Your love covers the planets
Fills atmospheres and systems of canyons
It permeates each physical state
Physical constants constantly giving you praise
You’ve given us night time and given us day
You’ve given us laws by your wisdom and grace
You listen to all who petition and pray
So I ask for strength as I commit to your ways
‘Cause I can see it, see it on every side
Bitterness, pain, selfish ambition, envy and pride
Greed and jealousy, indeed the enemy lies
In secret I am weak and pretend to be fine
But all is revealed by your glorious light
I can run from it or step forth and confide in you
Tried and true. We might soar on the heights
But now I’m taking steps, two, three or four at a time with you
You supply my breath
It’s only in you that I find my rest
I can still lose if I try my best
But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps
You supply my breath
It’s only in you that I find my rest
I can still lose if I try my best
But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps
Following in my weakness
Dry, barren and thirsty soul
So many places on this land for me to go
Deceived by my own strength that I need to know
I'm nothing, but given something
Lord beset me with gumption
I wanna speak life even when life is crushing
Blushing
'Cause I need faith even when I see nothing
Who are we that you got on your knees
With a basin of water and started washing our feet, Lord
Who am I that you decided to die
In my place on a cross, tossed in with mockers and thieves, Lord
How is it that the ground couldn’t grip you
Neither tomb stone nor gravity was found to resist you
While crowds of misfits astounded witnessed you
Rise to life, then to heaven as you called us to be yours
What can I do, but seek you and serve you
Not to reap what I’ve earned or believe I deserve to
Just in freedom that churns up the deep and spurs me
To learn and to keep and push on to the reward
Lord, I will follow you and
In all the joys and the sorrows that fall in my hands
In all my plans for tomorrow and actions today
My path will demonstrate you are active and great
You supply my breath
It’s only in you that I find my rest
I can still lose if I try my best
But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps
You supply my breath
It’s only in you that I find my rest
I can still lose if I try my best
But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps
You speak my name I'll answer the call
Gracefully I want to surrender my all
Listen to the voice that tugs on me calling for justice
To bring this world some substance
They be chasing idols so it's vital that we bring some revival
The Word of the Lord our recital
Worship, love and serve
To bless those who life throws a curve
The challenges that we can bring to balance
But we have challenges too
So how are we going get through
Stand out, hands out, saying I belong to you
Strength and weakness, sunny skies or bleakness
I'm yours
I'm going to watch you work wonders
In your greatness
I'm going to watch you work wonders
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7. |
Printer Paper
01:11
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Does anyone else find stacks of blank printer paper exciting
It’s not that I’m drawn to the paper itself
Although if you think about it printer paper is a natural and industrial marvel
What excites me
Are the myriad possibilities the stack of paper presents
Grab a pen and each of those five-hundred sheets can become, well, anything
All my creative types
Whether you were made to paint or blaze a mic
Into game design or thinking up a play to write
But you know this ain’t a phase. It’s a way of life. I feel you
From every draft you discard
To all you have to miss to practice this hard
From every scratch to mix to mastered hit
To every scratch on the pickguard of your guitar
This is art. And they don’t have to get
Why you’re passionate about fashion
Or rapping or snapping pics. The fact of the matter
Is what matters is the fact that you have a gift
So keep using it. Show the world what beauty is
Show the world what truly is
Help us view through the mist of usualness
And make sense of the confusing bits
We need you to wreck the walls
A barrier buried. A fence dissolved
Art softens hearts and connects us all
If you were made to create then respect the call
Let’s go
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8. |
30 (Remix)
02:55
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Hey everyone, Mark Durksen here
I just turned thirty years old so I figured
Why not write a rap to commemorate this momentous occasion
It only happens once in your lifetime
You know what I’m saying
Alright. Hey, yo
Thirty solar orbital laps
In the bag. No big. Just a score and a half
I thank the Lord for the fact I got a wife, a platform for my raps
And steady work at a store, in the back
Check it
I’m in shipping receiving
The gig fell in my lap when I was considering leaving
So every package that I sign off on is like a sign from God
That he provides for his flock, oh ye of little believing
Speaking of which I’ve been praying for my faith to grow
I’ll chat church on a songs or playing shows
But struggle repping God in a real conversation though
I wanna shine in the dark like a laser show
And he’s refining my heart through frustration, you know
I wanna work hard. God’s like take it slow
But then again, what’s really gonna make him known
Success, fame and dough or not being a slave to those
‘Cause every second in his presence like he passed you a present
Future me, hope you’re taking notes
You want to write raps? Fine
But your life adds up to more than nice tracks
How you like that? I fight back
Let’s go
Yeah. Let’s go
I feel like I say, “Let’s go,” a lot when I rap
I suppose among the different things I could be saying for an ad lib
It’s probably one of the cooler ones
I’m worried I might just say something awkward like, flannel penguin
Oh well, there it happened
Okay, well anyways, yo
Cake. Cake cake cake cake cake
Just turned thirty I got a birthday cake
No I’m not hurting, that’s just my worship face
No I’m searching, my home church is Grace
And every person is made
In the image of a God who could’ve made the Earth in a day
But chose to stretch it to six, flexing to quit on the seventh
And kick it like even work ain’t stepping to this
So right now, Ima rap about whatever I want
However I want. Couplets even. Ready or not
My wife knits so well you couldn’t handle her mittens
If a giraffe eats Zoodles is it cannibalism
Will I explode if I keep my mouth closed when I yawn
When your income’s from scams you’re a pro and a con
A pineapple’s neither apple nor pine
But c’mon it looks like a pinecone. Imagine or try
Hey, Wanna know what rhymes with Scooby-Doo
Juicy Fruit, Fruity Loops, Loopty-loop and Lucy Liu
And thank you to the friends, fans and the fam
For helping make this thirty year old man who I am
I don’t deserve you
And I miss a lot of you
‘Cause I don’t get to see a lot of you a lot
Toronto life. That’s how it goes
Yo, thirty years. Thank God
Here’s to thirty more
Fifty more
A hundred more
A million more, haha
Probably not a million more
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9. |
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On every single stage we stand
The people in the crowd throw hands
And every single word demands
That you understand we’re standing
On a platform not a pedestal
On a platform not a pedestal
In a few bars surreptitiously circumvent
This need for acceptance. Give it up for Lent
Humble beginnings like Sam Cooke’s tent
A change gon’ come, write away discontent
Keep the limits on to push past ‘em
Keep the flow strong, now work faster
Censoring gone, now here comes the laughter
Heaven sent song ‘cause it serves the master
Forget famous, I’m finally flying
Far enough to forget I’m finally trying
Trying, but can’t denying, that this high it
Comes from an unseen being beyond the sky
Open eyes, hope in my God
I’m flawed. I’m raw. I cause destruction
Got a little bit, my platform is nothing
Born to move something, mic gives me gumption
So
On every single stage we stand
The people in the crowd throw hands
And every single word demands
That you understand we’re standing
On a platform not a pedestal
On a platform not a pedestal
When I take a moment to think
Of the people I’ve met. The things I’ve got to do
By laying this rawness over heat like a barbeque
It’s hard to view it all as either Karma or coincidence
The synthesis of lyrics with instruments been the impetus for growth
From a humble little young ‘un from around the way
Now creating art for leaving hearts struck and crowds engaged
Couldn’t count the ways this art form has blessed me
Run the streets like parkour with a God-formed assembly of Merry Men
Ensuring each breath of my air is spent
With clear intent. Declaring no fear of embarrassment
Radical pacifist, snatching your hatchets to bury them
Chances of wackness are same as my stature, very slim
Kind of crazy reminiscing of my growth in these past seasons
Started for the status and cash and a bunch of wack reasons
Now these raps seasoned with salt
Your seeing the redeeming of a medium to blaspheme or exalt
Let’s go
On every single stage we stand
The people in the crowd throw hands
And every single word demands
That you understand we’re standing
On a platform not a pedestal
On a platform not a pedestal
How did I get here? It’s been a lit year
Finished off my first project in four and a bit years
Was foreign to hip hop. Ignored it with tin ears
Now I’m rockin’ with a posse. Man, that’s more than a bit weird
But that’s just par for the course of this ship. The Lord is with me
I’ll take orders, plot a course and let him steer
No living in fear
Seize an opportunity and board it
From my Star Destroyer like some Dark Lord of the Sith. Cheers
Every time I hit a stage I hope I deliver a ten
Every time I hit a page I'm hoping I scribble a gem
I even try to rap my age and know every little intent
Behind my rhymes to keep them beneficial and every listener fed
With power, comes responsibility homes
With every platform, comes a call to give up your throne
And give back more, a servant on a mission of hope
If we did that more, hmmm
Bet even this could be home
Let’s go
On every single stage we stand
The people in the crowd throw hands
Every single word demands
That you understand we’re standing
On a platform not a pedestal
On a platform not a pedestal
On every single stage we stand
The people in the crowd throw hands
Every single word demands
That you understand we’re standing
On a platform not a pedestal
On a platform not a pedestal
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10. |
Let It Shine
00:52
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Kay
What have we stumbled across
A God who’s trouble
Sent his Son to show his love on a cross
Only to rise and then invite us all to run with his flock
And now I’m not afraid of dying? Yeah, that’s something to talk about
Nothing to hide. I’m not gonna walk around awkward issues
I’m in it if my God is down
Because he claims the discarded. Lost and found
He restores garments then rocks them proudly
Don’t fight it. You can’t stop it
My clothes white as the polar bear on your can of pop is
We burn bright as a solar flare when his hand’s upon us
But the master plan is God’s and I am only an accomplice
The rock, I’m standing on it
This all began with him
Now we’re heirs to a throne like Bambi is
We got a light that we can’t keep in
Let it shine while you grind like an ambulance
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Mark Durksen
Mark Durksen is a rapper, YouTuber and spoken word artist from Toronto, Ontario who brings faith, comedy and hip hop together to inspire fresh perspectives on ourselves and the world we live in.
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