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.
Up to this point the story has been played out.
Sometimes failing, and sometimes in time.
But always present and always feeling just this close to breaking.
There was nowhere else to go and nowhere would have been right.
Hiding in corners, hoping for shadows or curtains to hide behind and change the colors of feelings.
Building something out of nothing again.
A wall, a door, a pillar, and another place to live and change.
Changing again.
Transparent and out of focus.
But with the best intentions always in mind.
First try failure.
Second try failure.
Number three progress.
But always this close to breaking and the running away never helps.
The holes that you dig are always deeper, though better informed.
As much as it hurts, they were right when they said, "change is the only constant."
So I'll keep this salt in my wound.
So I can keep that in mind.
Sometimes failing, and sometimes in time.
But always present and always feeling just this close to breaking.
There was nowhere else to go and nowhere would have been right.
Hiding in corners, hoping for shadows or curtains to hide behind and change the colors of feelings.
Building something out of nothing again.
A wall, a door, a pillar, and another place to live and change.
Changing again.
Transparent and out of focus.
But with the best intentions always in mind.
First try failure.
Second try failure.
Number three progress.
But always this close to breaking and the running away never helps.
The holes that you dig are always deeper, though better informed.
As much as it hurts, they were right when they said, "change is the only constant."
So I'll keep this salt in my wound.
So I can keep that in mind.
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I think the song is about a problem that keeps coming back. The person(I know the band, just metaphorically speaking) is having some progress, but cannot solve anything. Eventually he comes to learn that no mater what he does to try, he will still go back to where he started. He accepts his fate, but then realizes that accepting his dilema, rather than waiting, was worse for him in he long run.
This songs ending is so beautiful i dont understand how nobody has commented on it. I think its basically how sometimes change can be good, othertimes it can be bad & just reminding us about how we always hide from our mistakes. It could have a political meaning or a personal meaning really.
I personally think it's more about the final destruction of a relationship after rebuilding it many times. Anyway, great song, one of their best.