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.
Passing slowly though the vector
Damp with fog the bog that grows the former business sector
With my laugh, my lonely minion
Only I can save the lives that blink within this canyon
Whoa
We're passing slow, passing slow. Slow, Slow
Drink the colors of the night time
If you were wrong then I was right and this will be the right time
I‘ll display my disaffection (you brought me up, yea, you spit me out)
Out across the city
Loud and proud in your direction
Whoa
We're passing slow, we're passing slow. Slow, Slow.
Whoa
We're passing slow, we're passing slow. Slow, Slow.
When I get to your apartment I climb the rail outside the building
A band of them were in your apartment
They tied you up unwound, unwilling
I watch them cut, watch them touch, watch them do what they came to do
And in I come to lick it up
Clean up what is left of you
Ha ha ha show me what you got
Damp with fog the bog that grows the former business sector
With my laugh, my lonely minion
Only I can save the lives that blink within this canyon
Whoa
We're passing slow, passing slow. Slow, Slow
Drink the colors of the night time
If you were wrong then I was right and this will be the right time
I‘ll display my disaffection (you brought me up, yea, you spit me out)
Out across the city
Loud and proud in your direction
Whoa
We're passing slow, we're passing slow. Slow, Slow.
Whoa
We're passing slow, we're passing slow. Slow, Slow.
When I get to your apartment I climb the rail outside the building
A band of them were in your apartment
They tied you up unwound, unwilling
I watch them cut, watch them touch, watch them do what they came to do
And in I come to lick it up
Clean up what is left of you
Ha ha ha show me what you got
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I love singing along to the "we're passing slow" part.
I think this song might be about having a fear of someone cheating on him with a person who could damage her.