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 read a note my grandma wrote
back in 1923
grandpa kept it in his coat
and he showed it once to me
he said boy you might not understand
but a long long time ago
grandma's daddy didn't like me none
but i loved your grandma so
we had this crazy plan to meet and run away together
get married in the first town we came to and live forever
but nailed to the tree where we were suppose to meet instead
i found this letter and this is what it said:
if you get there before i do
don't give up on me
i'll meet you when my chores are through
i don't know how long i'll be
but i'm not gonna let you down
darling wait and see
and between now and then
until i see you again
i'll be lovin' you
love, me
i read those words just hours before my grandma passed away
in the doorway of the church where me and gandpa stopped to pray
i know i've never seen him cry
in all my fifteen years
but as he said these words to her
his eyes filled up with tears
if you get there before i do
don't give up on me
i'll meet you when my chores are through
i don't know how long i'll be
but i'm not gonna let you down
darling wait and see
and between now and then
until i see you again
i'll be lovin' you
and between now and then
until i see you again
i'll be lovin' you
back in 1923
grandpa kept it in his coat
and he showed it once to me
he said boy you might not understand
but a long long time ago
grandma's daddy didn't like me none
but i loved your grandma so
we had this crazy plan to meet and run away together
get married in the first town we came to and live forever
but nailed to the tree where we were suppose to meet instead
i found this letter and this is what it said:
if you get there before i do
don't give up on me
i'll meet you when my chores are through
i don't know how long i'll be
but i'm not gonna let you down
darling wait and see
and between now and then
until i see you again
i'll be lovin' you
love, me
i read those words just hours before my grandma passed away
in the doorway of the church where me and gandpa stopped to pray
i know i've never seen him cry
in all my fifteen years
but as he said these words to her
his eyes filled up with tears
if you get there before i do
don't give up on me
i'll meet you when my chores are through
i don't know how long i'll be
but i'm not gonna let you down
darling wait and see
and between now and then
until i see you again
i'll be lovin' you
and between now and then
until i see you again
i'll be lovin' you
Lyrics submitted by oasisness, edited by freestayjiggy
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