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.
Yes I'm lonely, wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
In the morning wanna die.
In the evening wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
My mother was of the sky.
My father was of the earth.
But I am of the universe
And you know what it's worth.
I'm lonely, wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
The eagle picks my eye.
The worm he licks my bone.
I feel so suicidal
Just like Dylan's Mr. Jones,
Lonely wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
Black cloud crossed my mind.
Blue mist round my soul.
Feel so suicidal
Even hate my rock and roll.
Wanna die yeah wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
In the morning wanna die.
In the evening wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
My mother was of the sky.
My father was of the earth.
But I am of the universe
And you know what it's worth.
I'm lonely, wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
The eagle picks my eye.
The worm he licks my bone.
I feel so suicidal
Just like Dylan's Mr. Jones,
Lonely wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
Black cloud crossed my mind.
Blue mist round my soul.
Feel so suicidal
Even hate my rock and roll.
Wanna die yeah wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.

Indigo
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Lennon has said that he was looking for a way out of the Beatles since 1966, and his angst and frustrations come out loud and clear on this heavy blues number. With reference to the line "even hate my rock n roll", Lennon also commonly dismissed much of his work with the Beatles, even going so far as to say that Sgt. Peppers was a piece of garbage. Thus proving that true artists always hate their work, are resentful of those that like it, and offended by those that don't
ooh, wow, should we lay flowers at your altar for having listened to live stuff from the 20s? that is just too cool. clearly you know more than us peons, you with your qualifying and unsubstantiated comments lieke "not as good by far." man, i bet you even peer review. kick ASS.
Thank you for shutting down this ignorant piss ant. :) What a joke!
My mother was of the sky. My father was of the earth. But I am of the universe
I think that he is saying his mother was religious, his dad was secular, but he is of the universe.. meaning all of the above
I came down to the same idea as you except for I didn't know for shure what he meant by being of the universe, it doesn't make sense to me that he is all of the above...
I thought for a while that John wrote this song to poke fun at Blues music. This is the first time I read about John's heroin addiction and withdrawals, that's sad.
"My mother was of the sky. My father was of the earth. I am of the universe".
"My mother was of the sky": his mother is deceased, in heaven
"My father was of the earth": his father was alive, and roaming the earth
"I am of the universe": John Lennon was a household name. Everybody knew Lennon/ the Beatles.
great blues beat. Just another example of the versatility of the beatles.
obviously about suicide.
Relaxing I like a nice relaxing blues song
Relaxing I like a nice relaxing blues song
This song isn't about suicide. Actually it's about John's heroin addiction. When he was going through withdrawls it was painful and made him miserable, so instead of taking drugs he'd write songs... this is one.
As an ex heroin addict (other addicts in recovery might have a negative opinion of the use of the prefix ex to heroin addict, but, im entitled to my opinion as well, and have been clean for 3 years). I agree with @SpongeBunny. I have held the belief his addiction was inspiration for this song since I was kicking dope for the first time. I am named after John and have listened to his music my entire life so my perspective of this song, just like everything else in life has changed, but the meaning of this song sticks out like a sore thumb, when i think of the "good" feeling it gave me, i think of this song. the line "The eagle picks my eye<br /> The worm he licks my bone<br /> I feel so suicidal<br /> Just like Dylan's Mr. Jones" <br /> Is very, very deep and meaningful, and can never be fully understood, because nobody except Dylan really knows what he was writing Ballad of a Thin Man about, he has given insight, but not the full story. So my opinion "The eagle picks my eye, the worm he licks my bone" when an addict, and i can imagine especially a rock star addict, everyone is using you and leading you on for their own gain reguardless of your well being. Eagle being people of high society and worm being people of low society. "Feel so suicidal", this ones obvious to anyone who has experienced the withdrawals of opiates. "Just like Dylan's Mr. Jones:" OK, so Dylan says he wrote this about thousands of reporters constantly asking him questions and being tired of that. Let a persons life speak for itself he continues. Lennon experience the same type of relentless questioning. Another instance of people using him for personal gain. This song is simply about the realities of Johns life. Most great songs are in my opinion. This is an old forum, don't know if anyone will see this, but there it is, for what its worth.