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 cant stand
The taste of defeat
Just like any man
But I know I'll loose more sleep
If I waste another chance
For nothing more than the fear of the unknown
Don't wait
Don't wait
Don't wait
People may have broken down you trust in yourself
So you take that bitter pill and it hurts when you swallow down on it
And it sits inside of you and it slowly eats away
Take that step
So don't wait
Don't wait
Cause you know you can't afford to
Don't wait
Take a step
Without your fear of failure
Let the rest
Just drop into place
You'll never know until you place some trust in yourself
Don't wait
Don't wait
Don't wait
People may have broken down your trust in yourself
So you take that bitter pill and it will slowly eat away
Eat away
Years may pass
But nothing may ever change
If you don't want that for a life and do something today
All those dreams that you have
Not that far out of reach
You can't live a life
A life of what-ifs
The chances you had
The time that you waste
Realise now that they may never come again
The rest of your life has just begun
So step to the plate
What's done is done
I can't stand
The taste of defeat
Just like any man
I want you to feel the weight
The taste of defeat
Just like any man
But I know I'll loose more sleep
If I waste another chance
For nothing more than the fear of the unknown
Don't wait
Don't wait
Don't wait
People may have broken down you trust in yourself
So you take that bitter pill and it hurts when you swallow down on it
And it sits inside of you and it slowly eats away
Take that step
So don't wait
Don't wait
Cause you know you can't afford to
Don't wait
Take a step
Without your fear of failure
Let the rest
Just drop into place
You'll never know until you place some trust in yourself
Don't wait
Don't wait
Don't wait
People may have broken down your trust in yourself
So you take that bitter pill and it will slowly eat away
Eat away
Years may pass
But nothing may ever change
If you don't want that for a life and do something today
All those dreams that you have
Not that far out of reach
You can't live a life
A life of what-ifs
The chances you had
The time that you waste
Realise now that they may never come again
The rest of your life has just begun
So step to the plate
What's done is done
I can't stand
The taste of defeat
Just like any man
I want you to feel the weight
Lyrics submitted by J0K3R
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