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.
[Culture Freedom] I think we should do this
[Verse 1]
I self lord and my methods of droppin' mental
Simple, yet very complicatedly I place it
Poor Righteous Teachers speaking of what was spoken in their bible (what?)
And now them calling me a racist (damn)
I cram to understand their weak and wicked way of livin
Man was given law not religion, C-Free - you's be know Wise be ain't sellin em fantasy
(Word is my life, G)
Most def-initely PRT means never down
We're up with the kings and crowns
Not clowns
No blue eyes or blond hair is over here
And now inserting sex and fear
But why must I be a racist for turning people to the truth?
Direct from a tree called life
When I strive to be the best that I can be and best for me is G -
PRT, the pure real type
[Verse 2]
I self lord and my every day aggravation, meditating
Awaiting on the way to get away
Not run son, the son of man can't stand this land
Where blacks stay symbolic to the prey
Oh me (oh my) why I can't deny that Wise and the teachers were lost
But that was then and this is now
(How?) can one say false is what the Gods were taught
You silly pigeon
Wise be ain't dealing with no religion, brothers listen
Only them comprehend pure fact from a brother that loves being black
Fact - negativity can't win, limit sin
Tell the others their time is done (yo)
No need for cooking that ass in the sun
And Wise's life is just begun
And my desires to have some fun
[Verse 3]
I self lord and the PRT posse feel it
Death - for all you brothers out there selling weak shit
Dip - is my hip hop so I drop the profane
Cause thats the only way they'll understand it
If - I was to say 'yo black stop selling crack'
No I don't think a single soul would listen
But - if I was to riff bum rush and start dissin'
I'd give you total comprehension
Cause all them wants to see is violence and negativity
But the problem is lack of unity
Black is black regardless to what state your from
You're wrong, and you're blind deaf and dumb
Why can't we say 'to hell with the red white and blue'?
The green black and red's coming through
Teachin what was taught by those that teach we teachers
And civilizes all the black kids
[Verse 4]
I self lord and my musical way of building
Willing - to speak the power to the people
Equal - only to ones self because ones self be but a brother
Others is the fact that I be legal
'See ya' - what I may say when I be steppin
Off into the projects called Divineland
Why stand around and watch the king that wears the crown?
You can be down with the get down sound
As if the gift was simply trying to lift
The moral standards of the people - my people
To whom there's not another people equal - to the lost and found
Hmm - a brief sign of meditation
Fakin - moves a brother can't cope
Dope - one deaf one dumb one blind
Now is it funky now, nope
[Verse 1]
I self lord and my methods of droppin' mental
Simple, yet very complicatedly I place it
Poor Righteous Teachers speaking of what was spoken in their bible (what?)
And now them calling me a racist (damn)
I cram to understand their weak and wicked way of livin
Man was given law not religion, C-Free - you's be know Wise be ain't sellin em fantasy
(Word is my life, G)
Most def-initely PRT means never down
We're up with the kings and crowns
Not clowns
No blue eyes or blond hair is over here
And now inserting sex and fear
But why must I be a racist for turning people to the truth?
Direct from a tree called life
When I strive to be the best that I can be and best for me is G -
PRT, the pure real type
[Verse 2]
I self lord and my every day aggravation, meditating
Awaiting on the way to get away
Not run son, the son of man can't stand this land
Where blacks stay symbolic to the prey
Oh me (oh my) why I can't deny that Wise and the teachers were lost
But that was then and this is now
(How?) can one say false is what the Gods were taught
You silly pigeon
Wise be ain't dealing with no religion, brothers listen
Only them comprehend pure fact from a brother that loves being black
Fact - negativity can't win, limit sin
Tell the others their time is done (yo)
No need for cooking that ass in the sun
And Wise's life is just begun
And my desires to have some fun
[Verse 3]
I self lord and the PRT posse feel it
Death - for all you brothers out there selling weak shit
Dip - is my hip hop so I drop the profane
Cause thats the only way they'll understand it
If - I was to say 'yo black stop selling crack'
No I don't think a single soul would listen
But - if I was to riff bum rush and start dissin'
I'd give you total comprehension
Cause all them wants to see is violence and negativity
But the problem is lack of unity
Black is black regardless to what state your from
You're wrong, and you're blind deaf and dumb
Why can't we say 'to hell with the red white and blue'?
The green black and red's coming through
Teachin what was taught by those that teach we teachers
And civilizes all the black kids
[Verse 4]
I self lord and my musical way of building
Willing - to speak the power to the people
Equal - only to ones self because ones self be but a brother
Others is the fact that I be legal
'See ya' - what I may say when I be steppin
Off into the projects called Divineland
Why stand around and watch the king that wears the crown?
You can be down with the get down sound
As if the gift was simply trying to lift
The moral standards of the people - my people
To whom there's not another people equal - to the lost and found
Hmm - a brief sign of meditation
Fakin - moves a brother can't cope
Dope - one deaf one dumb one blind
Now is it funky now, nope
Lyrics submitted by XLoveEpiphanyX
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.