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.
One day I will be back in our old street
Safe from the noise that's falling around me
And we'll release this town from the people
Who are trying to knock it down
And then only city lights will brighten the night sky
And there will be no sound
Open the bars and open the markets
Open the banks and open the churches
And we'll release this town from the people
Who are trying to knock it down
And then only city lights will brighten the night sky
And there will be no sound
We've been cowering so long
Oh, what I would give, I ask so little
Oh, what I would give to stand at the bus stop
Or browse in a bookshop to sleep and always be still
And we'll release this town from the people
Who are trying to knock it down
And then only city lights will brighten the night sky
And I will be set free from the people
Who are trying to bury me
And then only fireworks will light the sky at night
For all the world can see
Safe from the noise that's falling around me
And we'll release this town from the people
Who are trying to knock it down
And then only city lights will brighten the night sky
And there will be no sound
Open the bars and open the markets
Open the banks and open the churches
And we'll release this town from the people
Who are trying to knock it down
And then only city lights will brighten the night sky
And there will be no sound
We've been cowering so long
Oh, what I would give, I ask so little
Oh, what I would give to stand at the bus stop
Or browse in a bookshop to sleep and always be still
And we'll release this town from the people
Who are trying to knock it down
And then only city lights will brighten the night sky
And I will be set free from the people
Who are trying to bury me
And then only fireworks will light the sky at night
For all the world can see
Lyrics submitted by allactionandy
The Night Sky Lyrics as written by Timothy James Rice-oxley Richard David Hughes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i love how this song is written: a captivating combination of honest and moving. keane has been able to capture the true and yet simplistic perspective of children who have to live amongst such violence ("oh what i would give, to stand at the bus stop, to browse a bookshop"). not only do these guys write beautiful music, they show support for equally elevating causes: profits from this song are going to an organization dedicated to helping children in war-torn countries ("warchild").