Erykah Badu

Twinkle

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Twinkle Lyrics

They don't know their language
They don't know their God
They take what their given
Even whan it feels Odd
They say their grandfathers and grandmothers work hard for nothing
And we still in this ghetto
So they end up in prisons
They end up in blood

They keep us uneducated,
Sick and depressed
(they end up in blood)
Doctor I'm addicted now
I'm under arrest
(they end up in blood)
We makin' mo' money than a muthaf**ka
(they end up in blood)
With no choices there's no hope for us
(they end up in blood)

Started with a rhyme from old ancent times
Decedents of warlocks,
Witches with ill glitches
Children of the matrix be hittin' them car switches
Seen some Virgin Virgos hanging out with Venus Bitches

Cause
They don't know their language
They don't know their God
They take what their given
Even whan it feels Odd
They say their grandfathers and grandmothers work hard for nothing
And we still in this ghetto
So they end up in prisons
They end up in blood
They keep us uneducated,
Sick and depressed
(they end up in blood)
Doctor I'm addicted now I'm under arrest
(they end up in blood)
We makin' mo' money than a muthaf**ka
(they end up in blood)
With no choices there's no hope for us
(they end up in blood)

Submitted by

danohuiginn On Apr 12, 2008

Started with a rhyme from old ancent times
Decedents of warlocks,
Witches with ill glitches
Children of the matrix be hittin' them car switches
Seen some Virgin Virgos hanging out with Venus Bitches

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When in doubt, ask the crowd

Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.

danohuiginn

Submitter

2008-04-12 18:39:33

3 Meanings

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by FreeJigsawEarth

16y ago

It's rediculous how underappreciated Ms. Badu is these days. I saw her live a few years back and purchased one of those HIP HOP IS BIGGER THAN THE GOVERNMENT SHIRTS. She is one powerful lady. This song struck me from the very first time i listened to it. She's go so much style. Mix that with a well enlightened mind and you've got some pure music. She talks about the ghetto youth these days-- aren't taught proper english, can't believe in a god when shit's so bad. And why bother fighting for rights when their grandparents busted their asses and for what? So they could grow up in the same ghetto, just a little bit harder. They learn quick that they're stuck so why fight it. Hustle, make money, but they end up locked up or dead. "With no choices there's no hope for us." the line "Doctor I'm addicted, now I'm under arrest" speaks of the growing problem with perscription drugs. People need painkillers or anxiety pills and end up addicted, and in trouble for it. When the song fades out the voice of Amen Khum Ra speaks words which translate to: "We the brightest light, born from the deepest black, children of the Divine Mother Father, true right and exact, open the way shining ones, open the way, listen to these Divine words I say. I am the infinite blackness, the infinite brightness, the All Awareness, forever establishing the field of truth and reeds, through unifying the two Worlds."

it's sad that a lot of people hear that portion of the song and are offput by it, thinking it is voodoo or speaking in tounges, when it's actually quite beautiful.

the song goes even further into a man calling for change. "I WANT YOU TO GET ANGRY!" Lately I've been becoming increasingly annoyed with the lack of revolution in the world today when it seems so desperately in need.

the words "I'm a human being, dammit. My life has value." are some that people should try saying out loud and taking within.

It's rediculous how underappreciated Ms. Badu is these days.  I saw her live a few years back and purchased one of those HIP HOP IS BIGGER THAN THE GOVERNMENT SHIRTS.  She is one powerful lady.  This song struck me from the very first time i listened to it.  She's go so much style.  Mix that with a well enlightened mind and you've got some pure music.  She talks about the ghetto youth these days-- aren't taught proper english, can't believe in a god when shit's so bad.  And why bother fighting for rights when their grandparents busted their asses and for what? So they could grow up in the same ghetto, just a little bit harder.  They learn quick that they're stuck so why fight it. Hustle, make money, but they end up locked up or dead.  "With no choices there's no hope for us." 
the line "Doctor I'm addicted, now I'm under arrest" speaks of the growing problem with perscription drugs. People need painkillers or anxiety pills and end up addicted, and in trouble for it.
When the song fades out the voice of Amen Khum Ra speaks words which translate to: "We the brightest light, born from the deepest black, children of the Divine Mother Father, true right and exact, open the way shining ones, open the way, listen to these Divine words I say. I am the infinite blackness, the infinite brightness, the All Awareness, forever establishing the field of truth and reeds, through unifying the two Worlds."

it's sad that a lot of people hear that portion of the song and are offput by it, thinking it is voodoo or speaking in tounges, when it's actually quite beautiful.

the song goes even further into a man calling for change. "I WANT YOU TO GET ANGRY!"
Lately I've been becoming increasingly annoyed with the lack of revolution in the world today when it seems so desperately in need.

the words "I'm a human being, dammit.  My life has value." are some that people should try saying out loud and taking within.

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by XLoveEpiphanyX 16y ago

...all the people are on too many prescription drugs to revolt.

I'm a human being! My life has value!

by FreeJigsawEarth 15y ago

you're absolutely right they keep us uneducated, sick, and depressed. she forgot to mention sedated.

by FreeJigsawEarth

15y ago

i was listening to this for the billionth time today and it occurred to me! "They don't know their language-- they don't know THEY'RE God." not "their" God. 5%ers says each man is a God and each woman is an Earth (though they explain in in a much more beautiful way)

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by Dizzyjackson

9y ago

Does anybody know the full break down of the part that starts with "Started with a rhyme..." I'm really trying to decipher this song.

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