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.
Danced with wind and danced with fire
Killed the truth and called the liar
Bleeding in its mystery when the moon began to fall
Dreamers are not all they seem,
Sleeping in her silent dream
She locks it all inside and hides it all away
China, China
Calling out to history
Is that the way it will always be?
China, China
Questions in my hand, and then
Answers gone till I don't know when
verse:
All you speak and all you hear
Hand that's strong and voice it's clear
An unforgotten memory when the moon begins to call
Called you right and called you wrong
Time, the shadow, sings your song
Don't lock it all inside and hide it all away
China, China 4x
Killed the truth and called the liar
Bleeding in its mystery when the moon began to fall
Dreamers are not all they seem,
Sleeping in her silent dream
She locks it all inside and hides it all away
China, China
Calling out to history
Is that the way it will always be?
China, China
Questions in my hand, and then
Answers gone till I don't know when
verse:
All you speak and all you hear
Hand that's strong and voice it's clear
An unforgotten memory when the moon begins to call
Called you right and called you wrong
Time, the shadow, sings your song
Don't lock it all inside and hide it all away
China, China 4x
Lyrics submitted by Major Valor
China Lyrics as written by David Martin Kahne Darren Hill
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Well, it's Sunday, May 7, 2017 - I've been waiting five years to comment on this post.
The song is about a girl that he's in love with but the girl is closed off to him (but not necessarily to others). She has some dark things in her history that I feel she wants to open up about, but can't - possibly to protect someone else that she loved in the past and can't let go of.
The name "China" and the Great Wall around her heart is a bit of a stretch. But who knows what the song writer had in mind.
There. I feel much better now after keeping this bottled up for the past five years.
@cascade107 why wait five years??
1983 was a great year for music, and this was always one of my favorites. It wasn't a particularly big hit, but I think it stands the test of time, and could be a hit if released even today. I was surprised to find no comments here yet, so I'll start the discussion, and maybe in 5 years, someone will come along and add to it. I have always felt this was a song about a girl the author knew. I don't know if she was a girlfriend, or someone he was interested in knowing better, but I believe he was trying to get her to open up and talk about her past - she's perhaps been hurt. Like the country, the girl he calls "China" wouldn't share anything. She's got a secret, and she's not telling. It's driving him nuts. He wants to help, but she won't let him. Of course, it's all told from the perspective of comparing her dark secrets to that of the giant, mysterious country with a huge, great wall erected around it to keep everyone out. While not directly referenced in the song, I'm sure that's one reason he called the girl "China" - she had a similar wall around her heart to keep everyone away. But hey - that's just my take on it. Anyone in 2017 feel differently? I'll wait.
I feel the same way too. You are right.
@KirkH Thank you for Start the discussion. And well in any sense, the author could compare the girl to the country..But, there are too many dark signs that i could not get..such as "bleeding in its mistery when the moon begins to fall"..too dark..too cryptic..Ill follow this song and well..it may possible to desciphrated it..
I'll try this again. Not quite 5 years, but 2016 so that's close. I appreciate your comments. That's sort of my take on it as well. A very under appreciated song. Cheers.
@KirkH - Well, it's Sunday, May 7, 2017 - I've been waiting five years to comment on this post.<br /> <br /> The song is about a girl that he's in love with but the girl is closed off to him (but not necessarily to others). She has some dark things in her history that I feel she wants to open up about, but can't - possibly to protect someone else that she loved in the past and can't let go of.<br /> <br /> The name "China" and the Great Wall around her heart is a bit of a stretch. But who knows what the song writer had in mind.<br /> <br /> There. I feel much better now after keeping this bottled up for the past five years.
LOL, I agree 2021
Fantastic song, haunting, stuck in my head even now.