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.
How can you ask for forgiveness?
So now you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your clock unwinds?
I've heard enough of your forked tongue
How do you know when the cuts are deep enough?
I know you like your stabs
Your preemptive attacks
But how will you hold your demons down?
We're all judged in time
How can you seek redemption using alibis?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know
You oughta know better
How do you deal with the consequence
Now that we bear the weight of your arrogance?
I know you and your cons
Your petty little bombs
But who will you blame your troubles on now?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know better than to test your luck
You oughta know better than to bite who feeds ya
You oughta know, you oughta know better
How can you ask for forgiveness?
How can you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We're all judged in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
So now you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your clock unwinds?
I've heard enough of your forked tongue
How do you know when the cuts are deep enough?
I know you like your stabs
Your preemptive attacks
But how will you hold your demons down?
We're all judged in time
How can you seek redemption using alibis?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know
You oughta know better
How do you deal with the consequence
Now that we bear the weight of your arrogance?
I know you and your cons
Your petty little bombs
But who will you blame your troubles on now?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know better than to test your luck
You oughta know better than to bite who feeds ya
You oughta know, you oughta know better
How can you ask for forgiveness?
How can you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We're all judged in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
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Wow...just wow. This song is incredible. I think the meaning is obvious dont you think? :)