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.
I been around on this journey
And I'm learnin', the world keeps turnin'
You gotta face the fight, just to live the dream
Who would've believed, that what I've achieved
Tourin' the globe, and all those fond memories
Who would've guessed it would be like that
Through it all, who's been there for me
Took care of me, even shed a tear for me
You're the one who kept it real
So, in return, this is how I feel
[Chorus]
Do you mind where I came from?
And I have to tell you in this song
Without you, where would I be?
(Come on, hear me out now)
No word of where this road may lead me
Hometown boy, with his face on T.V.
It's plain to see
That without you, there'd be no me
It's a dream that I've come so far
The ups and downs were there
But I've worked so hard
Many people don't know the life I live
Always on the road, always plannin' a show
Gettin' down to business, in the studio
I can face the day 'cause the love you give
Through it all when the day is done
The night's begun, you're still my number one
You're the one who kept it real
So, in return, this is how I feel
[Chorus]
One shout to my family
'Cause when things get hard they understand me
Two shouts to my boys at home
Although I'm not there, you know you're not alone
Three shouts to my label
'Cause without them I would not be able
To make the fourth shout-out
The ones I think about
The masterpiece to the master plan
That's you, the fans
[Chorus: x2]
And I'm learnin', the world keeps turnin'
You gotta face the fight, just to live the dream
Who would've believed, that what I've achieved
Tourin' the globe, and all those fond memories
Who would've guessed it would be like that
Through it all, who's been there for me
Took care of me, even shed a tear for me
You're the one who kept it real
So, in return, this is how I feel
[Chorus]
Do you mind where I came from?
And I have to tell you in this song
Without you, where would I be?
(Come on, hear me out now)
No word of where this road may lead me
Hometown boy, with his face on T.V.
It's plain to see
That without you, there'd be no me
It's a dream that I've come so far
The ups and downs were there
But I've worked so hard
Many people don't know the life I live
Always on the road, always plannin' a show
Gettin' down to business, in the studio
I can face the day 'cause the love you give
Through it all when the day is done
The night's begun, you're still my number one
You're the one who kept it real
So, in return, this is how I feel
[Chorus]
One shout to my family
'Cause when things get hard they understand me
Two shouts to my boys at home
Although I'm not there, you know you're not alone
Three shouts to my label
'Cause without them I would not be able
To make the fourth shout-out
The ones I think about
The masterpiece to the master plan
That's you, the fans
[Chorus: x2]
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