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.
would you swim in this water?
would you swim in this water?
infected arms smother us to death
hold on tight..
hold on tight..
until the sun moves around the earth
we will destroy those who come for us
would you drink from this water?
would you drink from this water?
infected eyes are watching over us
hold on tight..
hold on tight..
until the sun moves around the earth
we will destroy those who come for us
it's a cold, wet night
we'll dry ourselves in the morning
this book is not about heroes anymore
until the sun moves around the earth
we will destroy those who come for us
would you swim in this water?
infected arms smother us to death
hold on tight..
hold on tight..
until the sun moves around the earth
we will destroy those who come for us
would you drink from this water?
would you drink from this water?
infected eyes are watching over us
hold on tight..
hold on tight..
until the sun moves around the earth
we will destroy those who come for us
it's a cold, wet night
we'll dry ourselves in the morning
this book is not about heroes anymore
until the sun moves around the earth
we will destroy those who come for us
Lyrics submitted by 359847, edited by brynnishness
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
Think of the place. If you do this song makes perfect sense. It's just about the nice sunny beaches, having a good time and getting away from the 'infected eyes' of the city. My only other viewpoint on the lyrics could be based on how poor it is (if it is). The lines of drinking the water are good if it were, as is the infected eyes line.
It's a beautiful song.
In the first verse, third line the correct lyrics are actually "Infected arms smother us to death." Also, in the second line of the chorus, the correct lyrics are "We will destroy those who come for us". I'll figure out the qauestion marks when I have a little more time.
I was really quite surprised by this song, it really doesn't deserve to be a b-side. It's certainly strong enough to have made it on to One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours. Amazing song, and it has a slight epic feel about it.
Looking forward to Be Human. April 20th. Pick it up!
I think this song was meant to be on the concept album about the end of the world. It's about the after effects of war and destruction. It's comparing the beauty of a place like Zihuatanejo with some post-war environment that is corrupted and infected by nuclear war etc.
Just my opinion.