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.
you were just swinging like a dime
posing with no reason and no rhyme
did you help me find the long way home?
sing me songs that I did not know?
Id been waking up for quite some time
workers breaking pavement outside
then one day at the bus stop getting high
all legs and all hair dye
this is where I realize
my trouble comes with bluest eyes
now when I walk in the room you know its all I can do
to stare at the floor and not to look at you
what do you think I am leaning on the wall?
what do you think I am, or do you think at all?
this is where I realize
my trouble comes with bluest eyes
now when I walk in the room you know its all I can do
to stare at the floor and not to look at you
I flavor to taste because taste is free
there are so few things between the rent and me
you were standing outside of the lines
you were just swinging like a dime
you were something of a charity
and I wanted you to give some to me
but what do you think I am, the smoke in your clothes?
what do you think I am, or do you think at all?
posing with no reason and no rhyme
did you help me find the long way home?
sing me songs that I did not know?
Id been waking up for quite some time
workers breaking pavement outside
then one day at the bus stop getting high
all legs and all hair dye
this is where I realize
my trouble comes with bluest eyes
now when I walk in the room you know its all I can do
to stare at the floor and not to look at you
what do you think I am leaning on the wall?
what do you think I am, or do you think at all?
this is where I realize
my trouble comes with bluest eyes
now when I walk in the room you know its all I can do
to stare at the floor and not to look at you
I flavor to taste because taste is free
there are so few things between the rent and me
you were standing outside of the lines
you were just swinging like a dime
you were something of a charity
and I wanted you to give some to me
but what do you think I am, the smoke in your clothes?
what do you think I am, or do you think at all?
Lyrics submitted by McWatt
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