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.
When you think that you know someone, they claim to be your friend.
A blackened wick is all that remains when the verdict has been sent.
With no legs left to stand on, no truth to call your own like a tired soldier slowly dying the gun that fired the shot was your own.
Now I see you lying in the bed you chose to make,
Backstabber,
how's it feel to live the life I've known was fake.
Tring harder just to realize what the hell was going on I saw you in the shadows, don't you know I'm strong?
I've got my own intuitions, I've got my own beliefs and when you try to toy with nature you'll be falling with the leaves.
And now it's all beginning, sail the ship you chose to build, you won't see me crying, washed my hands clean and now I see you lying in the bed you chose to make,
Backstabber,
how's it feel to live the life that's fake.(Yeah, fake)
A blackened wick is all that remains when the verdict has been sent.
With no legs left to stand on, no truth to call your own like a tired soldier slowly dying the gun that fired the shot was your own.
Now I see you lying in the bed you chose to make,
Backstabber,
how's it feel to live the life I've known was fake.
Tring harder just to realize what the hell was going on I saw you in the shadows, don't you know I'm strong?
I've got my own intuitions, I've got my own beliefs and when you try to toy with nature you'll be falling with the leaves.
And now it's all beginning, sail the ship you chose to build, you won't see me crying, washed my hands clean and now I see you lying in the bed you chose to make,
Backstabber,
how's it feel to live the life that's fake.(Yeah, fake)
Lyrics submitted by tomkat1440
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amazing song!
seems to be about a shattered friendship. reminds me a wee bit of a voodoo glow skulls song.
when i first heard this song, i didnt really like it. but now i love it! i think the song is about betrayal. Mainly of a friend, but a univeral betrayal.
the line "like a tired soldier slowly dying the gun that fired the shot was your own" reminds me of a book i just read. lol.
this song is great. it does take a few times to get used to but it has an awesome energy. i agree that it is about a betrayal of some kind. i think it is about any situation where the person you arent communicating with for some reason thinks you are going to crack first and come crawling back to them and this song is basically saying "screw you. cant you see that im stronger than that?" I love the line " you won't see me crying, washed my hands clean." That is my favorite line becasue the person is saying "you arent going to see me breakdown over this whole situation, it is off of my consciense. Now it is up to you to decide what you are going to." Thats how i take it atleast... amazing song anyway that you take it.