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.
Your gross fabrication of pretext could bore.
Yet still I fall victim from syntax and omitted.
Just shy of something I could understand.
So blissful, I press on to the sound of the organs
Playing their most convincing tunes
As they serenade to the parade of paid off parts.
And the only thing left to discuss
Is the details of this armistice.
We’ve come to this agreement…
Check my vitals.
The truth is vile but vital to this cause.
I’ve been held hostage a captive of this passive shell.
Give me gravity, give me clarity. Give me something to rely on.
Tell me who’s pulling the strings;
Tell me who’s that move for.
We’re all puppets;
We’re all marionettes.
These body parts of plans.
Passed by my hands, my hands shake through handshakes
Forsaken by my limbs.
My limbs sing the hymns, the hymns of a tyrant
In a crumbling pantheon
As inhabitants will raise their fists and bid him disarm.
Tell me who’s pulling the strings;
Tell me who’s that you move for;
We’re all puppets
We’re all marionettes.
Oh, how I’ve been teething in light of your misleading.
You’ve caused this collapse between
The heart and the synapse.
Yet still I fall victim from syntax and omitted.
Just shy of something I could understand.
So blissful, I press on to the sound of the organs
Playing their most convincing tunes
As they serenade to the parade of paid off parts.
And the only thing left to discuss
Is the details of this armistice.
We’ve come to this agreement…
Check my vitals.
The truth is vile but vital to this cause.
I’ve been held hostage a captive of this passive shell.
Give me gravity, give me clarity. Give me something to rely on.
Tell me who’s pulling the strings;
Tell me who’s that move for.
We’re all puppets;
We’re all marionettes.
These body parts of plans.
Passed by my hands, my hands shake through handshakes
Forsaken by my limbs.
My limbs sing the hymns, the hymns of a tyrant
In a crumbling pantheon
As inhabitants will raise their fists and bid him disarm.
Tell me who’s pulling the strings;
Tell me who’s that you move for;
We’re all puppets
We’re all marionettes.
Oh, how I’ve been teething in light of your misleading.
You’ve caused this collapse between
The heart and the synapse.
Lyrics submitted by x_melancholy_x
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
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
The guitar work in this song is fucking disgusting.
In a good way.