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.
just leave all your things
believe me my dead
the horses approach, the cavalry's close
there's no place for you here
ride through the day
under light as it fades
just follow the scent of steel and cement
where the rich man is made
i'm no perfect stranger, i'm a man you can trust
so what i will offer, i'll offer just once
when you get to the city
raise the men from their sleep
tell them 1000 strong
they're as wide as they're long
and they're coming in deep
from the horizon they swing
they curse and they sing
in all manner of clothes
from their heads to their toes
you couldn't dream such a thing
i'm no perfect stranger, i'm a man you can trust
so what i will offer, i'll offer just once
if i don't make it home
if i don't make it home
let another wear my clothes
burn all my things, you don't need what i own
lorelei, lorelei, lorelei let me drift in your soul
oh honey take the salt from your tears
and put them back in the ocean again
i'll be waiting in a place somewhere
and you may come wandering in
and your wild green eyes will take me back to where we began
believe me my dead
the horses approach, the cavalry's close
there's no place for you here
ride through the day
under light as it fades
just follow the scent of steel and cement
where the rich man is made
i'm no perfect stranger, i'm a man you can trust
so what i will offer, i'll offer just once
when you get to the city
raise the men from their sleep
tell them 1000 strong
they're as wide as they're long
and they're coming in deep
from the horizon they swing
they curse and they sing
in all manner of clothes
from their heads to their toes
you couldn't dream such a thing
i'm no perfect stranger, i'm a man you can trust
so what i will offer, i'll offer just once
if i don't make it home
if i don't make it home
let another wear my clothes
burn all my things, you don't need what i own
lorelei, lorelei, lorelei let me drift in your soul
oh honey take the salt from your tears
and put them back in the ocean again
i'll be waiting in a place somewhere
and you may come wandering in
and your wild green eyes will take me back to where we began
Lyrics submitted by meg;
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.