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 was made in darkest night
Of chalky ash and children's fright
I do not think you know what you behold
I was made of aching hurt
Of fairy tales and bloody dirt
I hope you do exactly as you're told
Siegfried and Saint George
Potter, Baggins, Beowulf
Were tempered in my forge
So I say to you and yours
All caught fire in the ivory tower
In the marble arches
In the dust and darkness
And I have you on my mind
Once a mighty tree was grown
For you to know all that is known
I hope you hear exactly what I say
And by your sword a branch came down
And where the blood fell to the ground
It is my cradle and there I must stay
And should ever you return
Well I must confess my story to be true
You will be burned
And I hope that you have learned:
All caught fire in the ivory tower
In the marble arches
In the dust and darkness
And all caught fire in the ivory tower
And I have you on my mind
You're on my mind
You're on my mind
Of chalky ash and children's fright
I do not think you know what you behold
I was made of aching hurt
Of fairy tales and bloody dirt
I hope you do exactly as you're told
Siegfried and Saint George
Potter, Baggins, Beowulf
Were tempered in my forge
So I say to you and yours
All caught fire in the ivory tower
In the marble arches
In the dust and darkness
And I have you on my mind
Once a mighty tree was grown
For you to know all that is known
I hope you hear exactly what I say
And by your sword a branch came down
And where the blood fell to the ground
It is my cradle and there I must stay
And should ever you return
Well I must confess my story to be true
You will be burned
And I hope that you have learned:
All caught fire in the ivory tower
In the marble arches
In the dust and darkness
And all caught fire in the ivory tower
And I have you on my mind
You're on my mind
You're on my mind
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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