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 could sink to the bottom of you
with a stone on a chain
without breathing in
I could tell you and tell you again
that there is only one
though many have been
lie down
fall in
pass out
while I'm wide awake
with the lights out
you're in safe hands
of that one man
who can fix his petite machine
you're not lonely in seconds of doubt
and the doubt is in me
next to certainty
back and forth as it always has been
and ever will be
as long as we're not in between
lie down
fall in
pass out
while I'm wide awake
with the lights out
you're in safe hands
of that one man
who can fix his petite machine
with a stone on a chain
without breathing in
I could tell you and tell you again
that there is only one
though many have been
lie down
fall in
pass out
while I'm wide awake
with the lights out
you're in safe hands
of that one man
who can fix his petite machine
you're not lonely in seconds of doubt
and the doubt is in me
next to certainty
back and forth as it always has been
and ever will be
as long as we're not in between
lie down
fall in
pass out
while I'm wide awake
with the lights out
you're in safe hands
of that one man
who can fix his petite machine
Lyrics submitted by Am0k
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I'm obsessed with this song. More people NEED to know about this band. Oh, and the song is about a guy who is madly in love with a girl and promises to take care of her forever, keeping her safe and her fragile ego in tack.
I definitely agree that this song is about a man who is madly in love with someone. I don't necessarily think the "petite machine" lyric refers to the other person: I think it refers to him. The kick drum rhythm in this song is strongly reminiscent of a heartbeat, and the heart can itself be thought of as a "machine" of sorts. He is saying that he is so devoted to this person that they shouldn't worry about hurting him, and that he will always be there for them to come home to because he is willing to overlook any emotional hardship they cause him.
I agree on that he is seriously on love with this girl, and that the beat of the song could symbalize a heartbeat, but i am not so sure about the idea of him not caring about her hurting him. I belive that this "petite machine" is this girl he is reffering to, and that he is there for her, to take care that this machine will keep on going, and that there is nobody else but him who can fix her; that he is the only one that truly knows her.
Kashmir is truly amazing with all their cryptized messages in their song.