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.
Destroyers in nature
It's just the fabric of us, our mistakes feeble-minded
Moderate to severe idiocy
The "most intelligent" creatures on the planet
An advanced civilization, which says nothing at all
Humans
Like US
We, the people
We, the morons
Apparently non-educable idiots
We are horrible people
This is a fire
This is the gasoline
Insects attract to the flame
And turn to pitch all the same
Our presence here threatening
Habitats de-evolve a mutant parody
Our hands are hammers the earthen anvil
All life in between disinterred and destroyed
You looked into the eyes of the beast
You extended your hand in trust
It so graciously accepted the fate
There's no honor in betrayal
O the savages, the ravagers of the pleading, standing there bleeding
Tears of the innocent turned into mammalian dissidents
We the people we the terrible
The war has been waged
Us vs them vs life vs cage
Inherently exiled from a life on an earth abundant with prosperity
O the hearts of men, their blood so thin with original sin
Tears of the innocent - turned into mammalian dissidents
Our presence here threatening
Habitats de-evolve a mutant parody
Our hands are hammers the earthen anvil
All life in between disinterred and destroyed
Destroyers in nature
It's just the fabric of us, our mistakes feeble-minded
Moderate to severe idiocy
The "most intelligent" creatures on the planet
An advanced civilization, which says nothing at all
Humans
Like US
We, the people
We, the morons
No single inferior race
We're all apparently idiots
We, the people, are horrible
It's just the fabric of us, our mistakes feeble-minded
Moderate to severe idiocy
The "most intelligent" creatures on the planet
An advanced civilization, which says nothing at all
Humans
Like US
We, the people
We, the morons
Apparently non-educable idiots
We are horrible people
This is a fire
This is the gasoline
Insects attract to the flame
And turn to pitch all the same
Our presence here threatening
Habitats de-evolve a mutant parody
Our hands are hammers the earthen anvil
All life in between disinterred and destroyed
You looked into the eyes of the beast
You extended your hand in trust
It so graciously accepted the fate
There's no honor in betrayal
O the savages, the ravagers of the pleading, standing there bleeding
Tears of the innocent turned into mammalian dissidents
We the people we the terrible
The war has been waged
Us vs them vs life vs cage
Inherently exiled from a life on an earth abundant with prosperity
O the hearts of men, their blood so thin with original sin
Tears of the innocent - turned into mammalian dissidents
Our presence here threatening
Habitats de-evolve a mutant parody
Our hands are hammers the earthen anvil
All life in between disinterred and destroyed
Destroyers in nature
It's just the fabric of us, our mistakes feeble-minded
Moderate to severe idiocy
The "most intelligent" creatures on the planet
An advanced civilization, which says nothing at all
Humans
Like US
We, the people
We, the morons
No single inferior race
We're all apparently idiots
We, the people, are horrible
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.