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.
Hate is a gift it's, sick and twisted
Theres a knife in your back and for fun I just twist it
All the shit you need to get you lifted
It's a rock in the bone, what it takes to get you twisted
Take the time to F**k with your mind
and dont thank me, because the pleasures all mine
Why slow it down, dont waste your time
Break your neck motherF**ker
Get back in line!
Get up, lit up and get the F**k up
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
How the F**k does it feel, your minds mine now
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
Mindset's shifted, violent whispers
No control is in, I turn on the rough sickness
Do your best but you can't resist this
Make your choice, inmate or witness
Your sanity's a distant memory for me
So F**k what you've heard, F**k what you've seen
Don't deny what you have inside
From me run motherF**ker, you can't hide!
Get up, lit up and get the F**k up
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
How the F**k does it feel, your minds mine now
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
Get up, lit up and get the F**k up
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
How the F**k does it feel, your minds mine now
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
he's been whining and scratching himself raw,
and nothing helps
(moans)
do your best, you can't resist
do your best
(scratching)
you can't resist
You can't slow me down
(you can't stop me now)
You can't slow me down
(you can't stop...now)
Theres a knife in your back and for fun I just twist it
All the shit you need to get you lifted
It's a rock in the bone, what it takes to get you twisted
Take the time to F**k with your mind
and dont thank me, because the pleasures all mine
Why slow it down, dont waste your time
Break your neck motherF**ker
Get back in line!
Get up, lit up and get the F**k up
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
How the F**k does it feel, your minds mine now
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
Mindset's shifted, violent whispers
No control is in, I turn on the rough sickness
Do your best but you can't resist this
Make your choice, inmate or witness
Your sanity's a distant memory for me
So F**k what you've heard, F**k what you've seen
Don't deny what you have inside
From me run motherF**ker, you can't hide!
Get up, lit up and get the F**k up
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
How the F**k does it feel, your minds mine now
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
You can't slow it down
(you can't stop this now)
Get up, lit up and get the F**k up
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
How the F**k does it feel, your minds mine now
(Get up, lit up, get up, lit up)
he's been whining and scratching himself raw,
and nothing helps
(moans)
do your best, you can't resist
do your best
(scratching)
you can't resist
You can't slow me down
(you can't stop me now)
You can't slow me down
(you can't stop...now)
Lyrics submitted by azure_34
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I think it's 'rock in the bowl' i.e meth not 'rock in the bone'