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.
Well, he's drinking down the bourbon like it was soda pop,
Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain't gonna stop,
He's mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe.
He had the D.T.'s for breakfast, the shakes till noon,
He picked up his bag and left the motel room,
His head is held high but his heart is on it's knees.
Well, he packed his guitar and his bar-room tan,
Gotta get some miles behind him as fast as he can,
Another destination, some place else to play.
Well, he left a life behind him in some old trailer park.
They tried to make it work; it was ruined from the start.
He had to shake the rust, it became time to leave.
It's a honky-tonk engagement,
But there's no better place to play.
His face feels like crazy pavement,
It's getting more lined every day.
Well, he's gonna write a letter and try to explain,
She says he's too old to have these growing pains,
But something keeps him moving, living on through the night.
But as the night approaches, a change is in the air,
His heart is pumping fast, he's got no cares.
The music befriends him, it can take him anywhere.
It's a honky-tonk engagement,
But there's no better place to play.
His mind feels like crazy pavement,
He's getting crazed out every day.
Well, he's drinking down the bourbon like it was soda pop,
Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain't gonna stop,
He's mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe.
He had the D.T.'s for breakfast, the chills till noon,
He picked up his bag and left the motel room,
His head is held high but his heart is on it's knees.
Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain't gonna stop,
He's mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe.
He had the D.T.'s for breakfast, the shakes till noon,
He picked up his bag and left the motel room,
His head is held high but his heart is on it's knees.
Well, he packed his guitar and his bar-room tan,
Gotta get some miles behind him as fast as he can,
Another destination, some place else to play.
Well, he left a life behind him in some old trailer park.
They tried to make it work; it was ruined from the start.
He had to shake the rust, it became time to leave.
It's a honky-tonk engagement,
But there's no better place to play.
His face feels like crazy pavement,
It's getting more lined every day.
Well, he's gonna write a letter and try to explain,
She says he's too old to have these growing pains,
But something keeps him moving, living on through the night.
But as the night approaches, a change is in the air,
His heart is pumping fast, he's got no cares.
The music befriends him, it can take him anywhere.
It's a honky-tonk engagement,
But there's no better place to play.
His mind feels like crazy pavement,
He's getting crazed out every day.
Well, he's drinking down the bourbon like it was soda pop,
Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain't gonna stop,
He's mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe.
He had the D.T.'s for breakfast, the chills till noon,
He picked up his bag and left the motel room,
His head is held high but his heart is on it's knees.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Bourbon Lyrics as written by Rory Gallagher
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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