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.
You're such an inspiration for the ways
That I'll never ever choose to be
Oh so many ways for me to show you
How your savior has abandoned you
Fuck your God
Your Lord and your Christ
He did this
Took all you had and
Left you this way
Still you pray, you never stray
Never taste of the fruit
You never thought to question why
It's not like you killed someone
It's not like you drove a hateful spear into his side
Praise the one who left you
Broken down and paralyzed
He did it all for you
He did it all for you
Oh so many many ways for me to show you
How your dogma has abandoned you
Pray to your Christ, to your god
Never taste of the fruit
Never stray, never break
Never choke on a lie
Even though he's the one who did this to you
You never thought to question why
Not like you killed someone
It's not like you drove a spiteful spear into his side
Talk to Jesus Christ
As if he knows the reasons why
He did it all for you
Did it all for you
He did it all for you
That I'll never ever choose to be
Oh so many ways for me to show you
How your savior has abandoned you
Fuck your God
Your Lord and your Christ
He did this
Took all you had and
Left you this way
Still you pray, you never stray
Never taste of the fruit
You never thought to question why
It's not like you killed someone
It's not like you drove a hateful spear into his side
Praise the one who left you
Broken down and paralyzed
He did it all for you
He did it all for you
Oh so many many ways for me to show you
How your dogma has abandoned you
Pray to your Christ, to your god
Never taste of the fruit
Never stray, never break
Never choke on a lie
Even though he's the one who did this to you
You never thought to question why
Not like you killed someone
It's not like you drove a spiteful spear into his side
Talk to Jesus Christ
As if he knows the reasons why
He did it all for you
Did it all for you
He did it all for you
Lyrics submitted by Jack, edited by jenebee, VaerellisKing, LeMarkyDussod
Judith Lyrics as written by Maynard Keenan Billy Howerdel
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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This song to me is genius. He is asking Judith if there is so much suffering, why do you still believe in a God.
@the Edge @the Edge 16 years ago… What I find so beautiful about her faith is her acceptance. I was reading the book of Job. The Lord quite casually speaks to the angels about Job and his unwavering faith. A demon appeared before God. Lucifer pointed out that no man could remain righteous in the face of losing all they know. God permits Satan to test Job’s faith; to showcase the rock-solid rightness. Job loses everything, and yet he submits to his Father. The demon says that the addition of an affliction will surely push him over ‘the Edge’. Having lost everything and his health, Job prays and begs for answers. His friends, his family, those closest to him, demand that he repent. They say there’s no way he is without sin if he is being punished this way. Job dismisses every single attack made by the enemy. He returns ridicule with ridicule and points out the unbelievably small faith his closest are displaying. Again, turns to God and demanded answers for why he is being punished and forced to suffer. Satan bows out with his sack tucked between his legs and moves on to roam and devour the weakest of the earth. You don’t challenge God. Job was not devoured. The Lord restored Job. Judith was not devoured. When she excepted Christ, she had been restored. Her body may be temporally dead but her Spirit lives eternally.