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.
It's a forgone conclusion,
your love is an illusion
and the picture is starting to fade
boy let's be honest,
when it comes to your promise
it's just a lot of empty words to say
and the future's only gonna be more of the same
you've only got yourself to blame
[Chorus]
Tomorrow you didn't,
yesterday you won't
'cause I know everything you say
your gonna do you don�t
that's a given,
it doesn't matter anyway
hey, I know what love wasn�t,
I know what love isn�t
so when you say you�re gonna change you gotta be kidding
tomorrow you didn�t,
hey hey, I�m outta here today
I used to believe in,
all your romantic dreaming
but it really ain�t that cute anymore
�cause my time�s to precious
so I wish you the best with
whatever it is you�re looking for
baby this is all for your own good,
I�m leaving �cause I know you never would
[Chorus]
I don�t need a crystal ball to see it all my dear,
it doesn�t matter what you say,
it always turns out the same way
your predictions are fiction
and it�s tragically clear
[Guitar solo]
[Chorus]
(dadada, yea)
your love is an illusion
and the picture is starting to fade
boy let's be honest,
when it comes to your promise
it's just a lot of empty words to say
and the future's only gonna be more of the same
you've only got yourself to blame
[Chorus]
Tomorrow you didn't,
yesterday you won't
'cause I know everything you say
your gonna do you don�t
that's a given,
it doesn't matter anyway
hey, I know what love wasn�t,
I know what love isn�t
so when you say you�re gonna change you gotta be kidding
tomorrow you didn�t,
hey hey, I�m outta here today
I used to believe in,
all your romantic dreaming
but it really ain�t that cute anymore
�cause my time�s to precious
so I wish you the best with
whatever it is you�re looking for
baby this is all for your own good,
I�m leaving �cause I know you never would
[Chorus]
I don�t need a crystal ball to see it all my dear,
it doesn�t matter what you say,
it always turns out the same way
your predictions are fiction
and it�s tragically clear
[Guitar solo]
[Chorus]
(dadada, yea)
Lyrics submitted by Avril_Rocks
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