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 had that same dream again
I dreamed I was an old man dyin' and tryin' to repent
And facing consequences for all the shit I've put up with
But now I've run out of steam
A broken backed nostalgiac
No chance left to redeem
I'm longing for my heyday give me a change to live again
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN
I WOULD SPEND ALL MY TIME TRYIN' TO REMEMBER WHEN
.....WAS I THAT MUCH HAPPIER THEN?
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN....
And now I'm older it seems
Well at least while I sleep deep within my anxiety dreams
I comb my hair on over
Put my teeth in and give a grin
I recollect and reflect
Loves lost at too much cost' my conscience full of regret
And if I wake up I hope this better be a better day
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN
I WOULD SPEND ALL MY TIME TRYIN' TO REMEMBER WHEN
.....WAS I THAT MUCH HAPPIER THEN?
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN....
The real truth of youth is innocence is a blessed and a cursed simulcast
The simple fact is that I'm sick of every song that dwells on the past
But still I go on writing
How long can my discontent last?
When I wake from my dream
Reality kicks in and I grinned just wonderin' what it means
The whole world screams "grow up"
And I know I can, but I don't know when!
I dreamed I was an old man dyin' and tryin' to repent
And facing consequences for all the shit I've put up with
But now I've run out of steam
A broken backed nostalgiac
No chance left to redeem
I'm longing for my heyday give me a change to live again
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN
I WOULD SPEND ALL MY TIME TRYIN' TO REMEMBER WHEN
.....WAS I THAT MUCH HAPPIER THEN?
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN....
And now I'm older it seems
Well at least while I sleep deep within my anxiety dreams
I comb my hair on over
Put my teeth in and give a grin
I recollect and reflect
Loves lost at too much cost' my conscience full of regret
And if I wake up I hope this better be a better day
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN
I WOULD SPEND ALL MY TIME TRYIN' TO REMEMBER WHEN
.....WAS I THAT MUCH HAPPIER THEN?
IF ONLY I WERE EIGHTEEN AGAIN....
The real truth of youth is innocence is a blessed and a cursed simulcast
The simple fact is that I'm sick of every song that dwells on the past
But still I go on writing
How long can my discontent last?
When I wake from my dream
Reality kicks in and I grinned just wonderin' what it means
The whole world screams "grow up"
And I know I can, but I don't know when!
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