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.
From whom the Gods destroy they first make mad
casting shadows on our fears
Malicious designs built strong and iron-clad catostrophic
conclusion, judgement closes near
Chaos sets the stage
bitter mouths of violent rage
spinning webs of timeless confusion
help us find our way
Tonight can we scape from this hell
(seasons ragin - sands of time will fall)
conquer the wicked
tonight can we escape from ourselves
Ten-thousand tyrants preach their treachery
striking down the weary and the wise
Swords of oppression sever the artery
of our freedom - victimized
Chaos sets the stage
bitter mouths of violent rage
spinning webs of timeless confusion
help us find our way
Tonight can we scape from this hell
(seasons ragin - sands of time will fall)
conquer the wicked
tonight can we escape from ourselves
Down-cast jaded - the glory has faded
so close your eyes
(locked in the darkness all your life...)
dream a twisted tale - dark and venomous
(...do you really have a reason not to fell this raging season)
so infamous
Watch the raging inferno of serpents rip the flesh
from all your pride and glory
then you die open your eyes - it's true
[solo]
Chaos sets the stage
bitter mouths of violent rage
spinning webs of timeless confusion
help us find our way
Tonight can we scape from this hell
(seasons ragin - sands of time will fall)
conquer the wicked
tonight can we escape from ourselves
casting shadows on our fears
Malicious designs built strong and iron-clad catostrophic
conclusion, judgement closes near
Chaos sets the stage
bitter mouths of violent rage
spinning webs of timeless confusion
help us find our way
Tonight can we scape from this hell
(seasons ragin - sands of time will fall)
conquer the wicked
tonight can we escape from ourselves
Ten-thousand tyrants preach their treachery
striking down the weary and the wise
Swords of oppression sever the artery
of our freedom - victimized
Chaos sets the stage
bitter mouths of violent rage
spinning webs of timeless confusion
help us find our way
Tonight can we scape from this hell
(seasons ragin - sands of time will fall)
conquer the wicked
tonight can we escape from ourselves
Down-cast jaded - the glory has faded
so close your eyes
(locked in the darkness all your life...)
dream a twisted tale - dark and venomous
(...do you really have a reason not to fell this raging season)
so infamous
Watch the raging inferno of serpents rip the flesh
from all your pride and glory
then you die open your eyes - it's true
[solo]
Chaos sets the stage
bitter mouths of violent rage
spinning webs of timeless confusion
help us find our way
Tonight can we scape from this hell
(seasons ragin - sands of time will fall)
conquer the wicked
tonight can we escape from ourselves
Lyrics submitted by KrudeDuse
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.