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.
This fear that clouds my mind
This fear that just won't die
Blacked out this world
Nothing's pure, nothing's real
Oh, I'm just bidding my time
'Till I wave Goodbye
If I could, you know I'd die
The final rest, just one big lie
This trip that's broke my back
My death is war, it's where I'm at
Oh, I'm just bidding my time
'Till I wave Goodbye
Oh, Goodbye
Oh, Oh, Oh yeah
'Till I wave goodbye
This fear that just won't die
Blacked out this world
Nothing's pure, nothing's real
Oh, I'm just bidding my time
'Till I wave Goodbye
If I could, you know I'd die
The final rest, just one big lie
This trip that's broke my back
My death is war, it's where I'm at
Oh, I'm just bidding my time
'Till I wave Goodbye
Oh, Goodbye
Oh, Oh, Oh yeah
'Till I wave goodbye
Lyrics submitted by Feegore
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I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
I think Layne has so many tributes because he was honest. He in no way tired to hide his pain. He displayed it so that others can learn from it. Neither did he want any pity. He accepted full responsibilty and didn't want others to go down the same path.
And for that we all absolutely love him. And that is by far not the only reason why we love him.
RIP sweet Layne
It's cool because you hear someone knocking on the door and a cat at the end of the song. Sadie, Layne's cat, and despite not eating for approximately two weeks, survived and is now owned by Jerry. The knocking is when they come to check on Layne and ultimately find him.
Layne has more tributes than Elvis.... God bless him.....
this song is about layne waiting to die, he knew he was going to die, he was ready for death to happen as soon as possible because he was suffering so bad
RIP Layne
There are a lot of songs tributed to layne he wuz a good guy...I love the song w/ staind "Layne" just as of this one it wuz also tributed to Layne
I love Alice In Chains. God bless Layne Staley. I named my son Layne Sidney after Layne Staley and Sid VIcious from the Sex Pistols. I am proud of bands like Black Label Society for writing songs like Layne. I think it is so cool and honorable. My heart weeps everyday for musicians like Layne Staley, Sid Vicious, Jim Morrison, Dimebag Darrell and Bon Scott. There are others but I can't think of them at the moment. Thanks.
Zakk should put down the beer adn the guitar for ten minutes and learn to read. Okay, so it's dedciated to Layne Staley, (Alice In Chains being an obviously huge influence on BLS). But "biddin' my time until I wave goodbye?" I thought it was justa typo, so I dug out the CD (not my favorite BLS album), and he actually sings "biddin'." You don't bid your time, you bide it, slob!