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.
Yesterday I flew across the world
And started a revolution
Truth be told, I'm tryin' to find myself
In a lovesick evolution
Oh, somebody tell me I'm fine
And that I'm gonna be alright
Oh, 'cause nobody's lookin' to die
When they're happy inside
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is what it is
It gets worse and it lasts
Never had the chance
To promise I'd never let go
You let go
But it is it what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Today's the day I'm comin' home again
But I'm further and further away, now
I won't leave my bed 'cause a part of me is dead
I forgot to face all your pictures down
Oh, somebody tell me I'm fine (somebody tell me I'm fine)
And that I'm gonna be alright
Oh, 'cause nobody's lookin' to die (lookin' to die)
When they're happy inside
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is what it is
It gets worse and it lasts
Never had the chance
To promise I'd never let go
You let go
But it is it what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Never got the chance
To promise I'd never let go
Oh, I'll never get the chance
'Cause you'll forever be the reason why
I'm not happy inside
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is what it is
It gets worse and it lasts
Never had the chance
To promise I'd never let go
You let go
But it is it what it is
And it hurts, make it fast (make it fast)
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is (well, it is) what it is (what it is)
It gets worse (so much worse) and it lasts (and it lasts)
And started a revolution
Truth be told, I'm tryin' to find myself
In a lovesick evolution
Oh, somebody tell me I'm fine
And that I'm gonna be alright
Oh, 'cause nobody's lookin' to die
When they're happy inside
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is what it is
It gets worse and it lasts
Never had the chance
To promise I'd never let go
You let go
But it is it what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Today's the day I'm comin' home again
But I'm further and further away, now
I won't leave my bed 'cause a part of me is dead
I forgot to face all your pictures down
Oh, somebody tell me I'm fine (somebody tell me I'm fine)
And that I'm gonna be alright
Oh, 'cause nobody's lookin' to die (lookin' to die)
When they're happy inside
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is what it is
It gets worse and it lasts
Never had the chance
To promise I'd never let go
You let go
But it is it what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Never got the chance
To promise I'd never let go
Oh, I'll never get the chance
'Cause you'll forever be the reason why
I'm not happy inside
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is what it is
It gets worse and it lasts
Never had the chance
To promise I'd never let go
You let go
But it is it what it is
And it hurts, make it fast (make it fast)
But it is what it is
And it hurts, make it fast
Well, it is (well, it is) what it is (what it is)
It gets worse (so much worse) and it lasts (and it lasts)
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
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