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.
A hundred miles on the other side of lonesome
A hundred miles past anything called fair
Ain't no need to question my devotion
For the girl I love, all burdens will I bare.
Oh, sweet Mary, where'd you go?
Kissed your lips just days ago
Now it seems I'm steady wasting time.
A hundred miles of empty road
Worn out hearts and teeth of gold
Feel like I could just lay down and die
On the other side.
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl waiting for me by and by
on the other side
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl that I cannot leave behind.
A hundred miles on the other side of lonesome
A hundred miles past any kind of plan
All I know is I can drink an ocean
of whiskey if I can't see her again.
Oh, sweet Mary, where'd you go?
Kissed your lips just days ago
Now it seems I'm steady wasting time.
A hundred miles of empty road
Worn out hearts and teeth of gold
Feel like I can just lay down and die
on the other side.
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl waiting for me by and by
on the other side
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl that I cannot leave behind.
Come on down and sit a while
I just covered a hundred miles
Think I'll sit right here and drink my fill
Yesterday's gone with the wind
Tomorrow's on its way again
figure it'll bring just what it will.
Oh, sweet Mary, where'd you go?
Kissed your lips just days ago
Now it seems I'm steady wasting time.
A hundred miles of empty road
Worn out hearts and teeth of gold
Feel like I can just lay down and die
on the other side.
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl waiting for me by and by
on the other side
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl that I cannot leave behind
A hundred miles past anything called fair
Ain't no need to question my devotion
For the girl I love, all burdens will I bare.
Oh, sweet Mary, where'd you go?
Kissed your lips just days ago
Now it seems I'm steady wasting time.
A hundred miles of empty road
Worn out hearts and teeth of gold
Feel like I could just lay down and die
On the other side.
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl waiting for me by and by
on the other side
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl that I cannot leave behind.
A hundred miles on the other side of lonesome
A hundred miles past any kind of plan
All I know is I can drink an ocean
of whiskey if I can't see her again.
Oh, sweet Mary, where'd you go?
Kissed your lips just days ago
Now it seems I'm steady wasting time.
A hundred miles of empty road
Worn out hearts and teeth of gold
Feel like I can just lay down and die
on the other side.
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl waiting for me by and by
on the other side
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl that I cannot leave behind.
Come on down and sit a while
I just covered a hundred miles
Think I'll sit right here and drink my fill
Yesterday's gone with the wind
Tomorrow's on its way again
figure it'll bring just what it will.
Oh, sweet Mary, where'd you go?
Kissed your lips just days ago
Now it seems I'm steady wasting time.
A hundred miles of empty road
Worn out hearts and teeth of gold
Feel like I can just lay down and die
on the other side.
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl waiting for me by and by
on the other side
Lonesome Dogtown nights
There's a girl that I cannot leave behind
Lyrics submitted by superficies
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