Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love) Lyrics

[Hook]
"I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship"

"Number 247681-Z, step to the line"

[Gunshot]


[Verse 1: Cage]
Two types of people in this world to recognize
Conquered, and the one holding the rifle at the next in line
The crosshair in my eye is a vessel to God
The container that kept you around in a hole in the yard
Sail the cemetery seas, half the crew leaves then move on
You have no idea how right my head is screwed on
When I wake up and put this suit on, I feel escape begin
Expirations are needed, I facilitate the end

[Verse 2: El-P]
There are two types of mornings/mournings in this life I can surmise
I wake early in the first to help supply the second type
Technician of repetition clips in the numbest of traditions it's
The little wondrous blunders that can summon one's demise
I know the line to walk, talk softly, punch a clock, aim (pow) done
I see the shelter in contrition, best to limit wagging tongues
But today's a confrontation with a thought that's not assured
She's inching closer to my services and further from my world
[Hook]
"I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship
I found love on a prison ship"

[Verse 3: El-P & Cage]
Does this job ever bother you, darkly creep up in your conscious too?
Nope, in fact I'm so enamored with the standard
Of being handed a command to (pow), it's almost romantic
The lead giveth, I take it, if I didn't understand it

I'm saying during the tenure of your gig, have you ever herded a pris
Who despite the traitorous label, makes you nervous as a kid?
Maybe beyond a date with the lead, there's something else meant for
A prisoner with the beauty of 247290-Z
Oh God, you gotta be joking, I get it she's smoking
Go get a taste, I'll hold you down for thirty, she must be purty, you're open
Your secret's safe with me, go on a raping spree
I gotta couple numbers of my own, just return the courtesy

No, nah man, that's actually not on my mind
Somehow it's different this time, I mean
Should a creature so sublime and young really be in line for the gun
And am I the one to dispense it? She seems almost defenseless
And her eyes have the surprising effect of rendering me restless

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About

Genius Annotation

The title is a reference to the legal concept of Habeas Corpus, which is the right to be informed of the reason for detention. Set on a prison ship that resembles the secret prisons employed by the United States throughout the Iraq war, the song is an exploration of the minds of those who work in secret prisons, carrying out human rights abuses, and, in the song, outright murder.

Fun fact: on Friday, October 13, 2006 El-P posted an excerpt of the song to his the promotional blogspot for this album, leaving out direct references to the subject’s status as a prisoner or the speaker’s position as a guard.

Credits
Featuring
Produced By
Written By
Mastering Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
Additional Bouzouki
Additional Vocals
Release Date
March 20, 2007
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