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.
I couldn't make it change
I couldn't make it go away
Whatever lives in me each time I think of you
And I know it's my fault
Know you haven't led me on
Still I find here outside lost without you
Driven by a voice that never says my name
The insane way I cry hers out
Each night when I'm alone
Alone I hear you deep inside me so I come
The lonely distance to the walls
I know you live behind
I'm standing here once more
Can you hear me?
Hear my pounding fist
I'm beaten on your door
Beaten on your door
I see it in your eyes the recognition so much less
Then what I have no right to dream of but I do
And you haven't led me on
But this world keeps us connected let's me look at you
As you look back at me
Sometimes, oh God, we even touch
To you it seems so harmless
But for me condemned
The sentence passed
Encounters are the punishment; sweet torment
The lash I bear for loving you alone
(Guitar solo)
Oh, you pull and pull yet never lift a hand
But if I could I'd hate you for it but I can't
Some crazy nights I race
Against the pounding of my heart
I race to reach you once again
'Stead I reach the lock
Instead I reach the lock
Without the key you never gave me
So I'm beaten
Does it matter?
Well, if you don't come the door will say it silently
Well, I'm standing here once more
Can you hear me?
Hear my pounding fist
I'm beaten on your door
And so I knock and hope you come
I scream your name through darkened windows
Are you in there?
Can you hear?
I have no right to do this
Beaten on your door
I'd much rather whisper quietly my love
Close and soft into your ear
Tried to wait till it was real
Didn't make it
Now I'm beaten on your door
I couldn't make it go away
Whatever lives in me each time I think of you
And I know it's my fault
Know you haven't led me on
Still I find here outside lost without you
Driven by a voice that never says my name
The insane way I cry hers out
Each night when I'm alone
Alone I hear you deep inside me so I come
The lonely distance to the walls
I know you live behind
I'm standing here once more
Can you hear me?
Hear my pounding fist
I'm beaten on your door
Beaten on your door
I see it in your eyes the recognition so much less
Then what I have no right to dream of but I do
And you haven't led me on
But this world keeps us connected let's me look at you
As you look back at me
Sometimes, oh God, we even touch
To you it seems so harmless
But for me condemned
The sentence passed
Encounters are the punishment; sweet torment
The lash I bear for loving you alone
(Guitar solo)
Oh, you pull and pull yet never lift a hand
But if I could I'd hate you for it but I can't
Some crazy nights I race
Against the pounding of my heart
I race to reach you once again
'Stead I reach the lock
Instead I reach the lock
Without the key you never gave me
So I'm beaten
Does it matter?
Well, if you don't come the door will say it silently
Well, I'm standing here once more
Can you hear me?
Hear my pounding fist
I'm beaten on your door
And so I knock and hope you come
I scream your name through darkened windows
Are you in there?
Can you hear?
I have no right to do this
Beaten on your door
I'd much rather whisper quietly my love
Close and soft into your ear
Tried to wait till it was real
Didn't make it
Now I'm beaten on your door
Lyrics submitted by MooWasHere
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