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.
Everybody's waiting
Everybody's watching
Even when you're sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
The tricky thing
Is yesterday we were just children
Playing soldiers just pretending
Dreaming dreams with happy endings
In backyards, winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score
Keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
So here you are, two steps ahead and staying on guard
Every lesson forms a new scar
They never thought you'd make it this far
But turn around (turn around), oh they've surrounded you
It's a showdown (showdown) and nobody comes to save you now
But you've got something they don't
Yeah you've got something they don't
You've just gotta keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes
Keep your feet ready
Heartbeat steady
Keep your eyes open
Keep your aim locked
The night goes dark
Keep your eyes open (keep your eyes open)
(Keep your ey-eyes open)
(Keep your ey-eyes open)
(Keep your ey-eyes open)
Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Everybody's watching
Even when you're sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
The tricky thing
Is yesterday we were just children
Playing soldiers just pretending
Dreaming dreams with happy endings
In backyards, winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score
Keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
So here you are, two steps ahead and staying on guard
Every lesson forms a new scar
They never thought you'd make it this far
But turn around (turn around), oh they've surrounded you
It's a showdown (showdown) and nobody comes to save you now
But you've got something they don't
Yeah you've got something they don't
You've just gotta keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes
Keep your feet ready
Heartbeat steady
Keep your eyes open
Keep your aim locked
The night goes dark
Keep your eyes open (keep your eyes open)
(Keep your ey-eyes open)
(Keep your ey-eyes open)
(Keep your ey-eyes open)
Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown
Everybody's watching to see the fallout
Even when you're sleeping, sleeping
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Keep your ey-eyes open
Lyrics submitted by Breakingbenjaminfan, edited by Switlyswiftie1
Eyes Open Lyrics as written by Taylor Swift
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think I know the meaning of "Eyes Open" Everybody's waiting Everybody's watching Even when you're sleeping Keep your ey-eyes open
The tricky thing is yesterday we were just children playing soldiers just pretending dreaming dreams with happy endings
She's saying that it wasn't that long ago that we were merely children, unaware of what the world actually held and that we were just trapped inside our own imaginations, where everything is right and nothing can go wrong.
In backyards winning battles with our wooden swords but now we've stepped into a cruel world Where everybody stands and keeps score
We've all played fake battles, and everything was just a game, but now we’ve actually been introduced to the real world, where there are people who criticize and who judge us every day
Everybody’s waiting for you to breakdown Everybody’s watching to see the fallout Even when you’re sleeping, sleeping Keep your ey-eyes, open
She’s saying that the people in this world are cruel and there are those who are your enemies and want to see you breakdown, and are watching to see you fall apart. But you’ve got to stand guard and keep your eyes open for all the dangers that lie ahead
So here you are Two steps ahead and staying on guard Every lesson forms a new scar They never thought you’d make it this far
You’ve made it through tough times and are staying strong and those who are causing you trouble are shocked and surprised you actually pulled through and are standing where you are at today
But turn around Oh they’ve surrounded you its a showdown and nobody comes to save you now But you got something they don’t Yeah you’ve got something they don’t You just gotta keep your eyes open
She’s saying but keep watch, because they are right at your heels and ready to bring you down the second you let your guard down. And there won’t always be people there to help you back up on your feet, you wont always have friends at your side but you’ve got something they don’t, you have what makes you you, and you aren’t the kind of person who backs down you can make it.
Keep your feet ready Heartbeat steady Keep your eyes open Keep your aim locked The night goes dark Keep your eyes open
This is basically self explanatory. Keep your feet ready, stay on guard. Heartbeat steady, keep it cool, don’t freak out and don’t worry. Stay calm and relaxed, and don’t let everyone think you’re losing. Keep your aim locked the night goes dark, stay focused, the world is a dark and cruel place and you’ll need all your attention and focuse to make it through it all. Keep your eyes open, stay aware, stay alert. The world isn’t always that kind and fair to you.