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.
Stormy summer day is in the way
Of all the could've been's and should've been's
How do you anticipate
This distorted tragedy
Things like this don’t just go away
Things like this tear your family
And I admit I can’t relate
Believe me I won’t walk away
’Cause when the circumstance holds you back
Lower the line
Harness, focus
Your broken vessel
When you paint that picture
When you’re all shook up
Shook up
Shook up
Harness, focus
’Cause you know it won’t die in your sleep
Harness, focus
’Cause you know it won’t die in your sleep
You finally said it out loud
Stormy summer day is in the way
Of all the could've been's and should’ve been's
How do you anticipate
This distorted tragedy
Maybe you’re not dead
Though this could be the end of your world
But this door isn't sealed
The black hole might tear if you fight
And I’ma be around
Until you see the light of day
Until you see the light of day
Until you see the light of day
Until you see the light of day
I can see your pain
I don’t see you shaded in a different light
I can see your pain
I don’t see you shaded in a different light
Of all the could've been's and should've been's
How do you anticipate
This distorted tragedy
Things like this don’t just go away
Things like this tear your family
And I admit I can’t relate
Believe me I won’t walk away
’Cause when the circumstance holds you back
Lower the line
Harness, focus
Your broken vessel
When you paint that picture
When you’re all shook up
Shook up
Shook up
Harness, focus
’Cause you know it won’t die in your sleep
Harness, focus
’Cause you know it won’t die in your sleep
You finally said it out loud
Stormy summer day is in the way
Of all the could've been's and should’ve been's
How do you anticipate
This distorted tragedy
Maybe you’re not dead
Though this could be the end of your world
But this door isn't sealed
The black hole might tear if you fight
And I’ma be around
Until you see the light of day
Until you see the light of day
Until you see the light of day
Until you see the light of day
I can see your pain
I don’t see you shaded in a different light
I can see your pain
I don’t see you shaded in a different light
Lyrics submitted by Ihsus
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