"Debt/Sallie" Words and Music by Michael B. Hicks Michael B. Hicks Music, BMI © 2012 I received an ovation at the '05 graduation It was a celebration of my matriculation But I made an observation that caused me much frustration So about this revelation I'll render this proclamation We equate our education to overpriced information A job with long duration is our justification But after much perspiration due to financial obligation Debt is my habitation, searching for an occupation I borrowed money to go to school, I went to school to make money But how I use that money is kind of funny, but I'm not laughing 'Cause I worked hard for it and now I can't enjoy it 'Cause more money--I owe it, and I'm wondering how that happened It's financial incarceration with limited visitation It's a jacked up situation--an unbalanced equation Hopefully articulation will clear up speculation Like most folks in our nation, I was sitting in a congregation Where Biblical misinterpretation and religious indoctrination Caused faulty application and self condemnation But I found liberation through personal adaptation Christ purchased my salvation...I'm talkin' 'bout reconcilation A different kind of debt did I owe, no amount of seed that I could sow Could cause enough fruit to grow to buy me life again It was the grace of God alone, He called me as His own Was lost, but now I'm home, no longer indebted to my sin So I'm free...debt free I went to high school in a small town, college in a small city Where I met this girl named Sallie...Sallie was really pretty Nobody warned me that Sallie could be really sadiddy The way she flirted with me was really kind of witty See Sallie looked up my address and she sent me a letter She said she really like me and she wanted us to be together And so we started strong and it just kept getting better Sallie would always buy me things, and I would always let her See, Sallie's of a different mold, she's a different type Her charm had me in a hold, and she held on tight I asked her, "…school is costly, but i should finish right?" She said, "I got you covered, go do what you like… You wanna go to school? Then I support you, Mike… You wanna shoot for the stars? I'll help you take flight." She'd always bring me the sweetest bread--I'd take a bite My graduation cap and gown was her favorite sight And once I graduated, Sallie started acting funny I looked her in the eye and asked, "Sallie, what's wrong, Honey? My future looks bright, our sky--it looks sunny…" She said, "we're finished, Mike…and now I want my money… A future for us? Little interest… I hooked you up & you talkin' 'bout you been blessed… Remember when we met…and that letter I sent? Next time, boy don't forget to read the fine print." Sallie Mae Sallie, may I take this time to tell you that I don't want you no more...