The Things They Carried

Introduction to the subject matter, referring to possessions or burdens carried by individuals.

Specific items carried, including duct tapes and thirty-eights, suggesting a mix of practical and potentially dangerous items.

The word "nigga" is used colloquially; "merry" implies a connection or association.

Referring to a toast or celebration, perhaps in connection with the mentioned items.

Someone is now moving slowly, possibly due to being armed ("ghost slow with the steel").

A character named Scully is running away from spilled blood, indicating a violent or dangerous situation.

References to money and drugs, possibly connected to criminal activities.

Sock full of crills

Dreams of a better life, a house, and a connection to a woman named Paula with details about her life and children.

The number of a girl named Paula

Written on back of a dollar

She still waiting for him to call

Met her at the mall

She had on her favorite lipstick

Description of Paula's challenging life, raising two children without the father's presence.

Little boy is six, baby girl always sick

Never seen her father

She used to visit but why bother

References to criminal activities, arrests, and dangerous situations involving characters like "boo" and the Feds.

Remember when boo got shot in the face

The same cat

Feds hit his place, the kid had a key a base

Details about illegal activities, stolen guns, tons of drugs, and makeshift equipment.

Time he got tons, clock creep concurrent

Home made hot plate

Of new burners, shoes with no laces

References to personal belongings, sentimental items, and emotional struggles.

Dog-eared over the years, counting

Your shoe pillow, Voice tears

References to prison life, with a mention of New Year's, a prenuptial agreement, and a sense of detachment.

On the tear, New Years, Pre-nup prepared

No hope, no fear, neither belonging here

Communication with family, encounters with fellow inmates, and a glimpse into the criminal world.

They just run into each other

His cellmate nickname Butta

Talk with a stutter, so he mutter

Got a little brother out in Brooklyn

Used to watch Butta get coke cooking

A narrative about a character named Butta, criminal activities, violence, and loss of possessions.

Didn't no one notice them cats looking

‘bout to get his work tooken

Step to ‘em on that note

Little bro tried to go in his coat

First shot hit him in the throat

They stripped his chain

Couldn't find the coke

Reiteration of the theme of carrying burdens, emphasizing the impact of life experiences.

And these are the things he carried

References to specific locations, possibly relevant to the narrative or personal experiences of the artist.

Going in the streets man, it's me next

You know what I'm saying, spitamatics

Ashford Hill, Georgia Forest

Weston, Euclid Street, North West DC

Fuck is you talking ‘bout

A declaration of presence and belonging in a specific location.