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.
I had sunk as low as a man could go the world had turned me down
Then you picked me up and you kissed me sweet
You changed the beggar into a king
Yes you took the rag from off of my back
And you gave me your love to keep me warm
Yes you picked me up and you kissed me sweet you changed the beggar into a king
[ steel ]
I had walked the streets with my head bowed low the sun for me would never shine
Then you came along into my life and changed the beggar into a king
Yes you took the rag from off of my back and you placed a crown on my head
Yes you picked me up and you kissed me sweet you changed the beggar into a king
Then you picked me up and you kissed me sweet
You changed the beggar into a king
Yes you took the rag from off of my back
And you gave me your love to keep me warm
Yes you picked me up and you kissed me sweet you changed the beggar into a king
[ steel ]
I had walked the streets with my head bowed low the sun for me would never shine
Then you came along into my life and changed the beggar into a king
Yes you took the rag from off of my back and you placed a crown on my head
Yes you picked me up and you kissed me sweet you changed the beggar into a king
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Beggar to a King Lyrics as written by Jape Richardson
Lyrics © GLAD MUSIC CO.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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