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.
Well the Lord said let there be and there was
On the earth below and in the sky above
Well then He knocked off work 'cause it was Friday night
Come Saturday morning everything was just alright
Sure enough
Well, the Lord said let man choose and man did
Well, there's been sorrow and trouble in the world ever since
But there's hope for us still in the Word God says
If we just be smart enough to just say yes
Smart enough to say yes to Him and say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen
Alrightokuhhuhamen
As it was in the beginning
It will be until the end (say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen
Now the Lord said Church you better love
'Cause it's a wounded world that needs a healing touch
And He gave us a promise and He gave us a job
He'll be with us but the work is up to us
It's up to us
And the Lord is sure speaking to you
So set aside your pride and your anger too
To say that time is short just means the time is now
Every tongue will confess and every knee is going to bow
Every knee is gonna bow to the truth and say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen, say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen
You can argue with your Maker
But you know that you just can't win (so say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen, (let me hear you say it), say
Alrightokuhhuhamen
Don't have to be no hunger
Don't have to be no war
Don't love this world any longer
Better learn how to say yes to the Lord, and say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen (say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen
You can argue with your Maker
Or know the joy of saying yes to, to Him (let me hear you say)
Alrightokuhhuhamen (let me hear you say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen
You can argue with your Maker
Or know th
On the earth below and in the sky above
Well then He knocked off work 'cause it was Friday night
Come Saturday morning everything was just alright
Sure enough
Well, the Lord said let man choose and man did
Well, there's been sorrow and trouble in the world ever since
But there's hope for us still in the Word God says
If we just be smart enough to just say yes
Smart enough to say yes to Him and say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen
Alrightokuhhuhamen
As it was in the beginning
It will be until the end (say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen
Now the Lord said Church you better love
'Cause it's a wounded world that needs a healing touch
And He gave us a promise and He gave us a job
He'll be with us but the work is up to us
It's up to us
And the Lord is sure speaking to you
So set aside your pride and your anger too
To say that time is short just means the time is now
Every tongue will confess and every knee is going to bow
Every knee is gonna bow to the truth and say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen, say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen
You can argue with your Maker
But you know that you just can't win (so say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen, (let me hear you say it), say
Alrightokuhhuhamen
Don't have to be no hunger
Don't have to be no war
Don't love this world any longer
Better learn how to say yes to the Lord, and say it
Alrightokuhhuhamen (say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen
You can argue with your Maker
Or know the joy of saying yes to, to Him (let me hear you say)
Alrightokuhhuhamen (let me hear you say it)
Alrightokuhhuhamen
You can argue with your Maker
Or know th
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