Song Lyrics - What does this mean?

[freedom0speech]

Hi guys. I work in the music industry, so music is something I know well. I could spend weeks discussing music theory, the physics of audio, recording techniques, mixing techniques, production techniques, etc. But I don't do lyrics. I've never been one to pay much attention to the lyrics, much less any good at interpreting them. When I listen to music, I'm listening to 100 different things (arrangement, instrument choice, playing technique, chord structure, key, rhythm pattern, production techniques, recording techniques, etc), taking it all in, while other people just listen to what the person is saying, that's the one thing I don't listen to... it's always been too simple for me, so I tend to listen to the more complex elements. So when I see lyrics like this, I'm not experienced in deciphering the meaning.

So, what does this mean? I just found this...
The lyrics of importance that I noticed are in the last verse (scroll to the bottom).

Nas & Damian Marley - In His Own Words (Featuring Stephen Marley)
released summer of last year (2010)




LYRICS:

[Chorus]

Jah told you in his own words
And I'll see you through
To guide you through this cold world
And I'll see you through

Jah told you in his own words
And I'll see you through
To guide you through this cold world
And I'll see you through

[Verse 1]

Two steps away from death, a vest and a holster
I detest detectives arresting us over
Weapons possession, they was checking the Rover
Inspecting the tattoos on my neck and my shoulder
How many times I'm one of six coffin-holders
Or sitting with goons in a visiting room
Flip it, I could've been you
Behind state walls bidding
These are the things that a G pray for, acquit us
A little stash in the safe or a little shorty to wait for
Or a shorty to take the weight for him
What really did I escape from?
Thought I saw God's face on the design on my vintage Claiborne
Swear I see em every day in the bus or the train
Or the billboards out there that hang tall
I still give thanks for him, have faith for him
No matter what his name's called

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]

Hey can you think of a colour that you've never seen?
Can you reminisce on places you've never been?
Well is many are called
But them never deemed
Worthy for the cause
Cause them never clean
Help who help themselves
Jah nuh raffle dream
That's why me chummy with Jah Jah
Like a Cherubim
Keep us strong through the winter like an Evergreen
And all of us are more connected than it ever seems
All things are related and creation is a package
Generate together and we increase the wattage
A how them a go manage?
Tell Babylon them can't do Rasta damage
Nor stop we through the passage
Jad did make a promise, God is always honest
Always keep his word, don't care what the plan is
Don't be astonished
Stumbling bocks vanish
One day the meek gonna live inna di palace, Woah!

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]

Some people ask me if I feel the zionists are real
And in my songs do I plan to expose and reveal
Word to the curb that's under these chrome wheels
My homies is only ones I'm taking care of
But severe reality starts to become more clear
And these know-it-all rappers have become more weird
As if they were superior and fans are inferior
How I balance between the streets and the theories of
Collegiate literature, I hold mirrors up
Give combinations of pain, joy, fear, and love
Through my perspective I can see Jah reflection
In the highest definition getting high with my brethren
Could've asked us why Africans dying from circumcision
They lack proper surgeons, suffer malnutrition
Underestimate the wealth of their own wisdom
It's like it's been exchanged for this penicillin

[Joseph]

They probably don't mean anything at all.

To understand anything of what this song means, I suggest that you look into "Rastafarian" beliefs.

In the Rastafarian belief system, words take on different meanings. For example "Zion" is not "Zion" in the Judaistic sense, but in the slaves-taken-from-Africa sense; "Zion" or "home" is Africa.

I need to look into this further, but I believe that Rastafarians believe themselves to be Jewish, or close to Jews, refering to themselves as coming from different "tribes" or "houses."

As far as I know, Rastafarians have taken up diatary restrictions (that not all follow), and certain rules. Rastafarians are supposed to believe in keeping things "natural," not marking or cutting your flesh (which is why they're not supposed to circumcise or have tattoos), and growing out your hair (which is why they have dreadlocks).

I'll probably be hated for this, but like any religion, people seem to pick and choose what they like from their religion.

It sounds like these words are trying to be Rastafarian (the use of Jah to refer to "god"), and references to "Zion." But then it also sounds like this guy beliefs Africans should be circumcised, but they're not being "properly" circumcised...

Pardon my frankness, but it just sounds like these lyrics are the product of an idiot (in the traditional sense of the word) on a weed trip.

Just my opinion though. I'll let others fill in...

BTW - I'm moving this to the "arts" section, simply because I think that is where I think this belongs...

[BamaDude]

Originally Posted by freedom0speech

So, what does this mean? I just found this...
The lyrics of importance that I noticed are in the last verse.

Nas & Damian Marley - In His Own Words (Featuring Stephen Marley)
released summer of last year (2010)




LYRICS:
[Verse 3]

Some people ask me if I feel the zionists are real
And in my songs do I plan to expose and reveal
Word to the curb that's under these chrome wheels
My homies is only ones I'm taking care of
But severe reality starts to become more clear
And these know-it-all rappers have become more weird
As if they were superior and fans are inferior
How I balance between the streets and the theories of
Collegiate literature, I hold mirrors up
Give combinations of pain, joy, fear, and love
Through my perspective I can see Jah reflection
In the highest definition getting high with my brethren
Could've asked us why Africans dying from circumcision
They lack proper surgeons, suffer malnutrition
Underestimate the wealth of their own wisdom
It's like it's been exchanged for this penicillin

Originally Posted by Joseph

They probably don't mean anything at all.

To understand anything of what this song means, I suggest that you look into "Rastafarian" beliefs.

In the Rastafarian belief system, words take on different meanings. For example "Zion" is not "Zion" in the Judaistic sense, but in the slaves-taken-from-Africa sense; "Zion" or "home" is Africa.

I need to look into this further, but I believe that Rastafarians believe themselves to be Jewish, or close to Jews, refering to themselves as coming from different "tribes" or "houses."

As far as I know, Rastafarians have taken up diatary restrictions (that not all follow), and certain rules. Rastafarians are supposed to believe in keeping things "natural," not marking or cutting your flesh (which is why they're not supposed to circumcise or have tattoos), and growing out your hair (which is why they have dreadlocks).

I'll probably be hated for this, but like any religion, people seem to pick and choose what they like from their religion.

It sounds like these words are trying to be Rastafarian (the use of Jah to refer to "god"), and references to "Zion." But then it also sounds like this guy beliefs Africans should be circumcised, but they're not being "properly" circumcised...

Pardon my frankness, but it just sounds like these lyrics are the product of an idiot (in the traditional sense of the word) on a weed trip.

Just my opinion though. I'll let others fill in...

Or, the red lyrics could be interpreted to mean that the songwriter is wondering if African circumcision-to-prevent-AIDS campaigns are a Zionist (traditional meaning, ie Jewish) conspiracy to deflect attention and resources away from Africa's more pressing needs and to further a pro-circumcision agenda at odds with Rastafarian non-mutilation beliefs.