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.
The phone it has been ringing
Ringing off the hook
And the creditors have said that all of your
Debts have grown legs and are
Running off the books
Correctional facilities sure I'll
Accept your calls
But the tales have grown tall
And the till isn't at all
And tears are only bread crumbs
For the crooks
And my paycheck it is bleeding
But it's fight or flight
The exit from debt could
Be the entrance
Into paradise
what are you doing daytimes
Shooting out your windows I bet
But the flocks of your dreams
Know that it's hunting season
It's a joke that you'll never get
Cause wooden ducks they do not bleed
And try as you might
The only goose that you'll bite
Is the goose egg you call your wife
When the bars announce it's closing time
And my heart it is still beating
But it's fight or flight
The exit from loneliness
Is not necessarily
The entrance into paradise
Into paradise
of all the men I've known who
Have money
I like you the most
Cause every dollar you invent
You're even more hellbent
On risking life and limb for another toast
When we were falling into puddles
I knew you had it in for me
Scraped my face on the ground
Till blood was down me
From my nose to the hem of my jeans
And my heart it is still bleeding
But it's fight or flight
The exit from loneliness
Could be the entrance into paradise
Into paradise
Ringing off the hook
And the creditors have said that all of your
Debts have grown legs and are
Running off the books
Correctional facilities sure I'll
Accept your calls
But the tales have grown tall
And the till isn't at all
And tears are only bread crumbs
For the crooks
And my paycheck it is bleeding
But it's fight or flight
The exit from debt could
Be the entrance
Into paradise
what are you doing daytimes
Shooting out your windows I bet
But the flocks of your dreams
Know that it's hunting season
It's a joke that you'll never get
Cause wooden ducks they do not bleed
And try as you might
The only goose that you'll bite
Is the goose egg you call your wife
When the bars announce it's closing time
And my heart it is still beating
But it's fight or flight
The exit from loneliness
Is not necessarily
The entrance into paradise
Into paradise
of all the men I've known who
Have money
I like you the most
Cause every dollar you invent
You're even more hellbent
On risking life and limb for another toast
When we were falling into puddles
I knew you had it in for me
Scraped my face on the ground
Till blood was down me
From my nose to the hem of my jeans
And my heart it is still bleeding
But it's fight or flight
The exit from loneliness
Could be the entrance into paradise
Into paradise
Lyrics submitted by calvins_hobbies
Paradise Lyrics as written by Sigidi Bashir Abdullah Paul Rose
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love how she ends each verse.
"The exit from debt could be the entrance Into paradise"
"The exit from loneliness is not necessarily The entrance into paradise Into paradise"
"The exit from loneliness Could be the entrance into paradise Into paradise"
I think this song is about thinking "if only I could fix this I would be happy." Like if only I could get my debts paid, life would be easy. Or if only I could meet someone to love, and not be lonely, I'd be happy. Sometimes It's true, but sometimes that's not necessarily the "entrance into Paradise"