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.
There's a Bible on the dresser and a sign hung on the door
And a woman in my arms shouldn't be
I'm to the point of no returning but I've been here before
This cheatin' life is nothing new to me.
There's someone to be considered I call her on the phone
And say the job is taking longer that I planned
I don't have the heart to tell her that a stranger's turned me on
And I'm headin' for the broken promise land.
Tonight I'm crossing over and I'll reach the cheatin' side
And I'll hate myself for coming here again
Where the streets are paved with misery and lives are built on lies
A place they call the broken promise land.
Found a note left on the dresser and a key left in the door
On the floor I found her golden wedding band
Guess she finally had to tell me she's not waiting anymore
And she's headin' for the broken promise land.
Tonight she's crossing over and she'll reach the cheatin' side
And I'll hate myself for coming here again
Where the streets are paved with misery and lives are built on lies
A place they call the broken promise land
And it's more than I can stand
And a woman in my arms shouldn't be
I'm to the point of no returning but I've been here before
This cheatin' life is nothing new to me.
There's someone to be considered I call her on the phone
And say the job is taking longer that I planned
I don't have the heart to tell her that a stranger's turned me on
And I'm headin' for the broken promise land.
Tonight I'm crossing over and I'll reach the cheatin' side
And I'll hate myself for coming here again
Where the streets are paved with misery and lives are built on lies
A place they call the broken promise land.
Found a note left on the dresser and a key left in the door
On the floor I found her golden wedding band
Guess she finally had to tell me she's not waiting anymore
And she's headin' for the broken promise land.
Tonight she's crossing over and she'll reach the cheatin' side
And I'll hate myself for coming here again
Where the streets are paved with misery and lives are built on lies
A place they call the broken promise land
And it's more than I can stand
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Broken Promise Land Lyrics as written by Sharon Vaughn Bill Rice
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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