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.
Bernice bobs her hair
in the barber's in the square
All her new-found friends are there to see it done
Bernice bobs her hair
She's been driven to despair
'Cause her cousin doesn't care about anyone
Her hair was long
Her hair was dark
Her hair fell down her back
And now it lies upon the floor
Bernice runs out the door
Marjorie had told her what to wear to the parties
Marjorie had told her what to say to the boys
Now Marjorie was jealous of her social advances
And presented her with this choice
"Bernice, bob your hair
You've persistently declared this intention
Do you dare to disagree?"
So Bernice bobs her hair and is instantly ensnared
In a trap so well prepared by Marjorie
Her hair was long
Her hair was dark
Her hair fell down her back
The mirror tells of her mistake
Her heart is fit to break
So when it's dark and her cousin sleeps
Into the room she creeps
Marjorie's curls come down like rain
Bernice runs for her train
in the barber's in the square
All her new-found friends are there to see it done
Bernice bobs her hair
She's been driven to despair
'Cause her cousin doesn't care about anyone
Her hair was long
Her hair was dark
Her hair fell down her back
And now it lies upon the floor
Bernice runs out the door
Marjorie had told her what to wear to the parties
Marjorie had told her what to say to the boys
Now Marjorie was jealous of her social advances
And presented her with this choice
"Bernice, bob your hair
You've persistently declared this intention
Do you dare to disagree?"
So Bernice bobs her hair and is instantly ensnared
In a trap so well prepared by Marjorie
Her hair was long
Her hair was dark
Her hair fell down her back
The mirror tells of her mistake
Her heart is fit to break
So when it's dark and her cousin sleeps
Into the room she creeps
Marjorie's curls come down like rain
Bernice runs for her train
Lyrics submitted by Bobo192
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