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.
If it ends tomorrow / if it begins
It gives me no sorrow / no tears will fall to my lips
I don't know the feeling / I haven't felt this before
It is scaring / more than I thought more
On my last day / I felt alone
For you I pray / Your hope will betray (you)
In the desert land / I felt fear
You grabbed my hand / I need to be here
If it ends tomorrow / if it begins
It gives me no sorrow / no tears will fall to my lips
I don't know the feeling / I haven't felt this before
It is scaring / more than I thought more
So close to me / the younger must stay
Nothing more to see / nothing more to say
Coming to an end / before the night is over
Trying to pretend / the time is not over
Emotions hard and rough / I am getting old
Is it enough? / this isn't the goal
The cure I can find / only deep within me
No man can save me / no man can help me
Untouched / unexpected / unfullfilled / maybe forever
My soul has been taken away
Undying / unreal / unconcerned / it's now or never
My soul has been taken away
On my last day / I felt alone
For you I pray / Your hope will betray (you)
In the desert land / I felt fear
You grabbed my hand / I need to be here
It gives me no sorrow / no tears will fall to my lips
I don't know the feeling / I haven't felt this before
It is scaring / more than I thought more
On my last day / I felt alone
For you I pray / Your hope will betray (you)
In the desert land / I felt fear
You grabbed my hand / I need to be here
If it ends tomorrow / if it begins
It gives me no sorrow / no tears will fall to my lips
I don't know the feeling / I haven't felt this before
It is scaring / more than I thought more
So close to me / the younger must stay
Nothing more to see / nothing more to say
Coming to an end / before the night is over
Trying to pretend / the time is not over
Emotions hard and rough / I am getting old
Is it enough? / this isn't the goal
The cure I can find / only deep within me
No man can save me / no man can help me
Untouched / unexpected / unfullfilled / maybe forever
My soul has been taken away
Undying / unreal / unconcerned / it's now or never
My soul has been taken away
On my last day / I felt alone
For you I pray / Your hope will betray (you)
In the desert land / I felt fear
You grabbed my hand / I need to be here
Lyrics submitted by Maggot
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