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.
Why boasteth thyself
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever? Oh no
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity, yeah (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
I-dureth forever
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down (well sharp)
Ready to cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper, oh no they can't!
And whosoever diggeth a pit, Lord
Shall fall in it, shall fall in it
Whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down
Ready to cut you down
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
If you are the big, big tree
We have a small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
Sharpened to cut you down
If you are the big tree, let me tell you this
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
Sharpened to cut you down
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever? Oh no
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity, yeah (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
I-dureth forever
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down (well sharp)
Ready to cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper, oh no they can't!
And whosoever diggeth a pit, Lord
Shall fall in it, shall fall in it
Whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down
Ready to cut you down
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
If you are the big, big tree
We have a small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
Sharpened to cut you down
If you are the big tree, let me tell you this
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
Sharpened to cut you down
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Small Axe Lyrics as written by Bob Marley
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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