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.
When I shadow box inside my skull
bothered by the senselessness
I wish for the messiah Indian woman, Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
you will know and it won't stop
when I wipe the sleep from my eyes
will my fondest dream please come true
crush my heart with a hammer make a purer one, Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
you will know and it won't stop
But mean people I say choke on it gagging all the way
may you remember the texture for days
but you'll get used to the feeling of your pride
of your pride, of your pride
chugalug it, chugalug it, time after time
time after time, time after time
learning your lesson, learning your lesson will do you fine
do you fine, do you fine
bothered by the senselessness
I wish for the messiah Indian woman, Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
you will know and it won't stop
when I wipe the sleep from my eyes
will my fondest dream please come true
crush my heart with a hammer make a purer one, Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
you will know and it won't stop
But mean people I say choke on it gagging all the way
may you remember the texture for days
but you'll get used to the feeling of your pride
of your pride, of your pride
chugalug it, chugalug it, time after time
time after time, time after time
learning your lesson, learning your lesson will do you fine
do you fine, do you fine
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I think SA is talking about the dreams people have and if they don't work out life goes on and its not the end of the road. Make the best of things. This song is so chillen. I got one thing to say: anyone who says 311 sold out with Transistor is STUPID. This CD is bar far and away the best 311 CD. I listen to it non stop and never get tired of it. It is SO postive. You don't find much GOOD music so postive around these days. SPOKEN.