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 was just another day
Cars were driving by and people lined the streets
We were walking side by side
But there was something on my mind
And I couldn't bear to walk another step with this inside
The rain will fall and wash it all away
Our fears will call
There's some things you don't just say
But when it's been so long
There's just no other way
I can't do this anymore
I can't pretend that I'm not bored
And I don't want to spend the rest of my life out of my control
The rain will fall and wash it all away
Our fears will call
And make us run away
This is the last thing left to do
And if there's one thing I have learned
You can only lie to yourself for so long
Until it becomes truth
I know I can't be the one left holding the bag
I wish I could not make it hurt so bad
Don't be surprised I'm gonna let you run away
Don't turn around I'm gonna walk the other way
I'm not going to chase you down the street
I won't chase you
I won't chase you
Don't be surprised I'm gonna let you run away
Don't turn around I'm gonna walk the other way
I'm not going to chase you down the street
I won't chase you
I won't chase you down the street
The rain will fall and wash it all away
Our fears will call
And make us run away
This is the last thing left to do
And if there's one thing I have learned
You can only lie to yourself for so long
Until it becomes truth
I know I can't be the one left holding the bag
I wish I could not make it hurt so bad
Cars were driving by and people lined the streets
We were walking side by side
But there was something on my mind
And I couldn't bear to walk another step with this inside
The rain will fall and wash it all away
Our fears will call
There's some things you don't just say
But when it's been so long
There's just no other way
I can't do this anymore
I can't pretend that I'm not bored
And I don't want to spend the rest of my life out of my control
The rain will fall and wash it all away
Our fears will call
And make us run away
This is the last thing left to do
And if there's one thing I have learned
You can only lie to yourself for so long
Until it becomes truth
I know I can't be the one left holding the bag
I wish I could not make it hurt so bad
Don't be surprised I'm gonna let you run away
Don't turn around I'm gonna walk the other way
I'm not going to chase you down the street
I won't chase you
I won't chase you
Don't be surprised I'm gonna let you run away
Don't turn around I'm gonna walk the other way
I'm not going to chase you down the street
I won't chase you
I won't chase you down the street
The rain will fall and wash it all away
Our fears will call
And make us run away
This is the last thing left to do
And if there's one thing I have learned
You can only lie to yourself for so long
Until it becomes truth
I know I can't be the one left holding the bag
I wish I could not make it hurt so bad
Lyrics submitted by ragefist31
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