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.
You ran across the yard and turned your back
Your brother he watched and in the grass he sat
The neighbor kid with a loaded gun and car
He fired a shot and the bullet grazed your heart
The doctors they watched you close and held their breath
And some would believe in a miracle they witnessed
The bullet stopped short and broke one of your ribs
A hospital bed and a second chance to live
You're closer to death
The neighbors - they left, ashamed of what he did
Their son, they hid
And all of the rest - your days that are left - upon your chest: a scar
A gift; your heart never stopped
I was afraid of what a friend told me
A burst of light and the harsh reality
He could recall a voice so comforting
But still it was hard to know what to believe
I looked away as my head absorbed the facts
And ran through the house until I reached the back
I couldn't help but be taken with the fear
It's unavoidable but he is always near
I was closer to death
And I would have guessed it was my turn to go
He told me so
And the all of the rest of my days that are left - upon my chest: a scar
A gift; my heart never stopped
Your brother he watched and in the grass he sat
The neighbor kid with a loaded gun and car
He fired a shot and the bullet grazed your heart
The doctors they watched you close and held their breath
And some would believe in a miracle they witnessed
The bullet stopped short and broke one of your ribs
A hospital bed and a second chance to live
You're closer to death
The neighbors - they left, ashamed of what he did
Their son, they hid
And all of the rest - your days that are left - upon your chest: a scar
A gift; your heart never stopped
I was afraid of what a friend told me
A burst of light and the harsh reality
He could recall a voice so comforting
But still it was hard to know what to believe
I looked away as my head absorbed the facts
And ran through the house until I reached the back
I couldn't help but be taken with the fear
It's unavoidable but he is always near
I was closer to death
And I would have guessed it was my turn to go
He told me so
And the all of the rest of my days that are left - upon my chest: a scar
A gift; my heart never stopped
Lyrics submitted by AlohaAndrea
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
yeah i see it as being more as a metaphor too...but idk