In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
What do you know?
What do you know?
The birds and the bees they are wise to the lies (what do you know?)
So they took to the trees and took to the skies (what do you know?)
On top of the chain and safe from the rain (what do you know?)
Whatcha' know about the ways of the underside? (What do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and hip to the lies (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass 'cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Whatcha' know about the ways on the underside? (what do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass 'cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Droppin' bombs from above cut ya all down to size (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and they're hip to the lies (what do you know?)
Yeah, the streets rose in two perfect waves in the night (what do you know?)
Crashes on my left and one on my right (what do you know?)
It's all fire and brimstone baby, so let's go outside (what do you know?)
It's all fire and brimstone baby, I got my brand new pistol baby (what do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Droppin' bombs from above cut ya all down to size (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and they're hip to the lies
And they're hip to the lies
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Right in front of your eyes, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Whatcha' know about the ways on the underside? (What do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass 'cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Droppin' bombs from above cut you all down to size
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and they're hip to the lies
And they're hip to the lies
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Right in front of your eyes, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
What do you know?
What do you know?
What do you know?
What do you know?
What do you know?
The birds and the bees they are wise to the lies (what do you know?)
So they took to the trees and took to the skies (what do you know?)
On top of the chain and safe from the rain (what do you know?)
Whatcha' know about the ways of the underside? (What do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and hip to the lies (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass 'cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Whatcha' know about the ways on the underside? (what do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass 'cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Droppin' bombs from above cut ya all down to size (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and they're hip to the lies (what do you know?)
Yeah, the streets rose in two perfect waves in the night (what do you know?)
Crashes on my left and one on my right (what do you know?)
It's all fire and brimstone baby, so let's go outside (what do you know?)
It's all fire and brimstone baby, I got my brand new pistol baby (what do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Droppin' bombs from above cut ya all down to size (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and they're hip to the lies
And they're hip to the lies
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Right in front of your eyes, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Whatcha' know about the ways on the underside? (What do you know?)
Bought a hot shot gat from a north end guinea
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up (what do you know?)
Ante up with your ass 'cause you ain't got a penny (what do you know?)
Droppin' bombs from above cut you all down to size
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up (what do you know?)
'Cause they're hip to the bull and they're hip to the lies
And they're hip to the lies
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Right in front of your eyes, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
Now answer the lies, it's time to get up
Our turn to decide who lives and who dies
What do you know?
What do you know?
What do you know?
What do you know?
Lyrics submitted by Universal Ash, edited by Sean19a7x, Rokken, myenemyisnear
The Mission [(M Is for Milla Mix)] Lyrics as written by Daniel Patrick Lohner Maynard James Keenan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the song is about an uprising. The "underside" is the repressed. The dominant group is more wealthy and holds more power. They are corrupt and have been lying about injustices done to "the underside" to maintain their status. Normally, the poor are repressed and resort to violence and many times have to give up everything to survive or in this case, fight back, thus "ante up with your ass cause you aint got a penny." The more powerful, wealthy, or higher-class group can be judgemental or ignorant, thus "whatcha know about the ways of the underside?" These people of the underside are "hip to the lies" and ready to fight back."The streets rose in two perfect waves of the night" I think is actually referring to the fight. They all showed up for the fight and the people filled the streets like waves. "It's all fire and brimstone baby, so let's go outside" is saying, let's join the riot and fight for our cause. Make these people who have wronged us face their sins and lies. Buying the gat is preparing for the fight because this person is not going to stand by and continue to be mistreated and repressed and then swept under the rug. This person is going to join the cause and fight. Now it's 'our' turn to decide who lives and who dies. The tides have changed and now we are taking the power we deserve, and we want you to answer to your lies. I think that is why the song is named "The Mission." These people have a mission of truth and equality. Awesome song.
The side that is less desirable, reputable, or noble than the obverse: "hunger, isolation, filth, the underside of [a] hellish regime" (National Review).<br /> <br /> The "repressed" are not the underside.