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.
I'm the one who preys upon the weakest
And the weakest always preys upon the one who's underneath
I'm the one who doesn't see the waves of human kindness or the tides that
Turn the day
I'm the one who always turns and looks away
Turns and looks away
[chorus 1]
Because after all, we are only boys
Because after all, we are only boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
I'm the one treads upon the weaker ones
Those that I can find
And there'll always be some others who could march along in line, yeah
March along in line
And, we'll move upon the world in a massive tidal wave
And we'll shout and make some noise, yeah
Shout and make some noise
[chorus 1]
[chorus 2]
The clowns of death are marching on their hideous parade
Their glaring eyes are filled with hate, but I am not afraid
Their painted faces cracked with age, their makeup old and worn
With tattered wings and toothy grins to amplify their scorn
They're looking for the helpless ones
They're looking for the misbegotten
They prey upon the weak and fractured
The crippled and the freaks of nature
And when the come upon one who's lost or is alone
Their smiles get even bigger and their noses start to glow
Making snarling sounds to pantomime with furious abandon
And with a scream they pounce to kill and all the while they're laughing
I'm the one treads upon the weaker ones
Those that I can find
And there'll always be some others who will march along in line
And, we'll move upon the world in a massive tidal wave
And we'll shout and make some noise, yeah
Shout and make some noise
[chorus 1]
[chorus 2]
Your sons and daughters, innocent, lay sleeping in their beds
They'll catch them when you're not around and smash their little heads
If you think it just a dream, or that it isn't fair
Just look around outside your door, the clowns are everywhere
And the weakest always preys upon the one who's underneath
I'm the one who doesn't see the waves of human kindness or the tides that
Turn the day
I'm the one who always turns and looks away
Turns and looks away
[chorus 1]
Because after all, we are only boys
Because after all, we are only boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
Will be boys will be boys will be boys
I'm the one treads upon the weaker ones
Those that I can find
And there'll always be some others who could march along in line, yeah
March along in line
And, we'll move upon the world in a massive tidal wave
And we'll shout and make some noise, yeah
Shout and make some noise
[chorus 1]
[chorus 2]
The clowns of death are marching on their hideous parade
Their glaring eyes are filled with hate, but I am not afraid
Their painted faces cracked with age, their makeup old and worn
With tattered wings and toothy grins to amplify their scorn
They're looking for the helpless ones
They're looking for the misbegotten
They prey upon the weak and fractured
The crippled and the freaks of nature
And when the come upon one who's lost or is alone
Their smiles get even bigger and their noses start to glow
Making snarling sounds to pantomime with furious abandon
And with a scream they pounce to kill and all the while they're laughing
I'm the one treads upon the weaker ones
Those that I can find
And there'll always be some others who will march along in line
And, we'll move upon the world in a massive tidal wave
And we'll shout and make some noise, yeah
Shout and make some noise
[chorus 1]
[chorus 2]
Your sons and daughters, innocent, lay sleeping in their beds
They'll catch them when you're not around and smash their little heads
If you think it just a dream, or that it isn't fair
Just look around outside your door, the clowns are everywhere
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oh how I love this song. It's where my email/AIM/everything else screen name came from. I believe this song is about Oingo Boingo's rise to popularity... or something like that.
Is this song available on a CD? If so, which one?
I've only heard this performed on the Farewell DVD. At first I didn't like it and would skip the song as soon as I heard the first lines. But then I really got into it, especially when they reach the second chorus. I think this song is about all of the dangers that are throughout the world that may seem innocuous. Clowns are supposed to be goofy, loveable creatures, but if you think about it, they're quite grotesque. They're made up in wigs, costumes, and makeup so you don't know who they are. There's just something sinister about them. (See Killer Klowns from Outer Space.) So these hidden dangers are hiding in plain sight, they're everywhere, ready to pounce while you least expect it. "Your sons and daughters, innocent, lay sleeping in their beds/They'll catch them when you're not around and smash their little heads" coupled with "Just look outside your door, the clowns are everywhere" are the creepiest Oingo Boingo lyrics.