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.
One thing’s for sure
I just can’t find the way
To let it seem like all is wrong
Inside my den
Hold back
Breathe easy
She said to me
Go somewhere and change your mind
Just let me sleep
I’ve been living in a lesson
Please just come inside and listen
Is it anger at life
Or are you happy to be with me
Are you seeing someone
Or will your faith
Go with no other man
Come on
Let me dream
I’ve been living in a lesson
Please just come inside and listen
No need to worry ‘bout all the lying
Please just come inside
It’s a thing
To make me want to go
See another
That makes me doubt
I’ve been living in a lesson
Please just come inside and listen
No need to worry about all the lyin’
All the changing
Please just come inside
I just can’t find the way
To let it seem like all is wrong
Inside my den
Hold back
Breathe easy
She said to me
Go somewhere and change your mind
Just let me sleep
I’ve been living in a lesson
Please just come inside and listen
Is it anger at life
Or are you happy to be with me
Are you seeing someone
Or will your faith
Go with no other man
Come on
Let me dream
I’ve been living in a lesson
Please just come inside and listen
No need to worry ‘bout all the lying
Please just come inside
It’s a thing
To make me want to go
See another
That makes me doubt
I’ve been living in a lesson
Please just come inside and listen
No need to worry about all the lyin’
All the changing
Please just come inside
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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"Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
And the violence caused such silence
Who are we mistaken
-
Another mother's breaking
Heart is taking over"
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"But you see it's not me
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