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.
Hey, you, we just got started,
You can't end this now.
Hey, you, we just got started,
You can't end this now.
You've paid your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?
You've paid your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?
Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
People in northern Europe since medieval times,
We find it hard to deal with when our dreams come true
As if happiness exists in the world at a fixed amount,
And if you feel up, somebody somewhere else feels down
Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
You can't end this now.
Hey, you, we just got started,
You can't end this now.
You've paid your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?
You've paid your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?
Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
People in northern Europe since medieval times,
We find it hard to deal with when our dreams come true
As if happiness exists in the world at a fixed amount,
And if you feel up, somebody somewhere else feels down
Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
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10 min ago
Rated 0
Well,here are my thoughts as a new member of Songmeanings...
Referring to the title of the song, the lyrics are about Martin Luther, an well-known german theologian. Martin Luther fixed the famous 95 theses on a church in Wittenberg,situated in the eastern part of Germany as a opposing sign towards an well known practice to save your soul by paying money to the church ,these were the so-called "Ablassbriefe"(letters of indulgence). This historical background is underline by the lyrics:
"You've payed your dues, you're free, Of what are you afraid?"
Greets from Germany
PS: Sorry for posting it as a reply a few minutes ago.