This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Come from the North where the oceans freeze
Spent three long months at the open seas
Paddled 'til it seemed I could take no more
Till I hit the ground on Prussia's shores
How was I to know that day
That the winds had swept me Wilson's way
But soon towards me from the East
Came Wilson and his men on multi-beast
Hey!
Well, it seemed he didn't like my face
And I quickly learned that Prussia was an evil place
They tied me to a chair with a giant clip
And held a piece of paper to my tender nip
Then they tossed the chair in a tiny shack
And told me not to worry 'cause they'd soon be back
But I loosened up the binds where my hands were lashed
And ran towards the cove where my boat was stashed
Singing, "Oh Wilson, someday I'll kill you 'til you die
Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye"
Hey!
Now Wilson knew that I was loose
I'd surely be subjected to some real abuse
Maybe end up hanging from the nearest tree
So angrily I paddled to the open sea
But the sea was eager to beat me back
And the waves grew huge and deadly black
And the gray clouds rumbled over my head
And I feared in my heart that I'd soon be dead
When the morning came and the storm had passed
The dismal fog began at last
To open up before my eyes
And there I saw to my surprise
Chains and specks of islands curved
Where palm trees dipped and seagulls swerved
Parked my kayak on a stone
And yelled across the ocean to his evil throne
I said, "Oh Wilson, someday I'll kill you 'til you die
Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye
Wilson, kill you 'til you die
Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye"
Come from the North where the oceans freeze
Spent three long months at the open seas
Paddled 'til it seemed I could take no more
Till I hit the ground on Prussia's shores
How was I to know that day
That the winds had swept me Wilson's way
But soon towards me from the East
Came Wilson and his men on multi-beast
Hey!
Well, it seemed he didn't like my face
And I quickly learned that Prussia was an evil place
They tied me to a chair with a giant clip
And held a piece of paper to my tender nip
Then they tossed the chair in a tiny shack
And told me not to worry 'cause they'd soon be back
But I loosened up the binds where my hands were lashed
And ran towards the cove where my boat was stashed
Singing, "Oh Wilson, someday I'll kill you 'til you die
Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye"
Hey!
Now Wilson knew that I was loose
I'd surely be subjected to some real abuse
Maybe end up hanging from the nearest tree
So angrily I paddled to the open sea
But the sea was eager to beat me back
And the waves grew huge and deadly black
And the gray clouds rumbled over my head
And I feared in my heart that I'd soon be dead
When the morning came and the storm had passed
The dismal fog began at last
To open up before my eyes
And there I saw to my surprise
Chains and specks of islands curved
Where palm trees dipped and seagulls swerved
Parked my kayak on a stone
And yelled across the ocean to his evil throne
I said, "Oh Wilson, someday I'll kill you 'til you die
Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye
Wilson, kill you 'til you die
Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye"
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Phish is such a great band to put on and jam/trip with your buddies. This is one of my favorites, just bouncing around to the live version instrumentals.