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.
(David Lowery)
Well I'd never sleep with your ex-girlfriend
Even if she starts to flirt with me again.
Allow me apologize for my slightly wicked thoughts;
'Cause that's the kind of friend that you've got.
(Patterson Hood)
If a fight breaks out and you're the cause of it
In some redneck bar where you've been talking shit.
I would not forsake you later in that parking lot
'cause that's the kind of friend that you've got.
(Lowery and Hood)
Well through the laughter and the tears,
We go stumbling through the years.
(Lowery)
A bit dysfunctional well folks might say
(Hood)
Well I've got the dirt on you.
(Lowery)
Hey, I've got plenty on you too.
(Lowery and Hood)
So I pray we stay together all our days.
(Lowery)
So when you're on a date
And you finally bring that girl home.
You put a little Captain Beefheart on the stereo
And you disconnect the phone.
(Hood)
Then I show up drunk and raving,
And then I pass out on the spot.
'Cause that's the kind of friend
That you've got.
(Lowery)
Well through the laughter and the tears,
(Lowery and Hood)
We go stumbling through the years.
(Lowery)
A bit dysfunctional well folks might say
(Hood)
You can say that again.
(Lowery and Hood)
Well I've got the dirt on you.
(Lowery)
Hey, I've got plenty on you too;
(Lowery and Hood)
So I pray we stay together all our days.
(Lowery)
Oh dear lord
(Lowery and Hood)
Yeah I pray we stay together all our days.
Well I'd never sleep with your ex-girlfriend
Even if she starts to flirt with me again.
Allow me apologize for my slightly wicked thoughts;
'Cause that's the kind of friend that you've got.
(Patterson Hood)
If a fight breaks out and you're the cause of it
In some redneck bar where you've been talking shit.
I would not forsake you later in that parking lot
'cause that's the kind of friend that you've got.
(Lowery and Hood)
Well through the laughter and the tears,
We go stumbling through the years.
(Lowery)
A bit dysfunctional well folks might say
(Hood)
Well I've got the dirt on you.
(Lowery)
Hey, I've got plenty on you too.
(Lowery and Hood)
So I pray we stay together all our days.
(Lowery)
So when you're on a date
And you finally bring that girl home.
You put a little Captain Beefheart on the stereo
And you disconnect the phone.
(Hood)
Then I show up drunk and raving,
And then I pass out on the spot.
'Cause that's the kind of friend
That you've got.
(Lowery)
Well through the laughter and the tears,
(Lowery and Hood)
We go stumbling through the years.
(Lowery)
A bit dysfunctional well folks might say
(Hood)
You can say that again.
(Lowery and Hood)
Well I've got the dirt on you.
(Lowery)
Hey, I've got plenty on you too;
(Lowery and Hood)
So I pray we stay together all our days.
(Lowery)
Oh dear lord
(Lowery and Hood)
Yeah I pray we stay together all our days.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
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