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.
The backlash has started, but we ain't fucking laughing
Take a look at how much has changed, there ain't much to smile about
We've done four years of begging and a lot longer struggling
Well ain't it about time, we took back what is ours
Punk formed as a movement to set right what was wrong
The opposing side said no, we're right, you're wrong
They controlled our bands with money and they all sucked off our sweat
Well that’s the fucking lesson we never must forget
The time moved on and rebellion just seemed to be a bore
As one by one the leaders collapsed, the money bought the whore
Time and time again, we heard new promises were made
But words was all it was, the action was delayed
They tried to salvage something, but the mistake was already done
With CBS and EMI backing what went on
Those tears upon the stage, we heard they all came from the heart
And if we all stood together, it would just be the start
Well the start just never happened, as our hopes ran down the drain
Now take a good look, you'll see its happening again
The punk movement once strong, once offering real change
Is searching fame and fortune, and that just ain’t the fucking way
Punk is still our movement; we can put right what is wrong
By learning to say no, we’re right, you're wrong
Fuck their fucking future, it means oppression, war and hate
It’s time to turn the tables around and recreate the state
Take a look at how much has changed, there ain't much to smile about
We've done four years of begging and a lot longer struggling
Well ain't it about time, we took back what is ours
Punk formed as a movement to set right what was wrong
The opposing side said no, we're right, you're wrong
They controlled our bands with money and they all sucked off our sweat
Well that’s the fucking lesson we never must forget
The time moved on and rebellion just seemed to be a bore
As one by one the leaders collapsed, the money bought the whore
Time and time again, we heard new promises were made
But words was all it was, the action was delayed
They tried to salvage something, but the mistake was already done
With CBS and EMI backing what went on
Those tears upon the stage, we heard they all came from the heart
And if we all stood together, it would just be the start
Well the start just never happened, as our hopes ran down the drain
Now take a good look, you'll see its happening again
The punk movement once strong, once offering real change
Is searching fame and fortune, and that just ain’t the fucking way
Punk is still our movement; we can put right what is wrong
By learning to say no, we’re right, you're wrong
Fuck their fucking future, it means oppression, war and hate
It’s time to turn the tables around and recreate the state
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44
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