Washington Redskins
Soul’s Transactions: Urban Realities in Verse
Lyrics
They love they skins negroes and white men
Reference to the Washington Redskins and the diverse fan base.
Agree he can jump out the gym
Agreement that someone (possibly a player) is exceptionally athletic.
Out on a limb if you assuming we're friends
Being in a precarious position if assuming a friendship.
Assume nothing, be better off in the end
Suggesting not to make assumptions, it's better to avoid disappointment.
Buried where the Potomac bend
Geographical reference to the Potomac River; burial site mentioned.
Harpers Ferry tides blood rimmed
Describing Harpers Ferry with intense imagery, possibly historical violence.
Fight for Old DC, write tight eulogy
Expressing loyalty to Washington, D.C., and referencing a eulogy for the city.
Houses underwater in PG and what rough beast
Describing challenges in the city, possibly referencing economic struggles.
Slouches towards Northeast to be born
Referencing a line from Yeats' poem, "The Second Coming," suggesting change.
The Quickening
Mentioning "The Quickening," a possible reference to acceleration or intensity.
From podiums, madmen heap scorn
Depicting chaos and criticism from leaders during public speeches.
Wild-eyed bickering
Describing intense and irrational arguments among people.
The best lack all conviction
Quoting a line from Yeats, indicating a lack of commitment from the best.
The worst claim: "it was written"
Contrasting claims about destiny, possibly a critique of fatalistic attitudes.
Judge said, "nigga, listen"
Describing a legal situation involving a racial slur and imprisonment.
Then it was off to debtor's prison
Outcome of a legal situation leading to debtor's prison.
Still caught the game, dayroom television
Despite imprisonment, still connected to the outside world through television.
Blood feud, crude weapon, water drawn
Reference to a violent conflict, possibly family-related.
Wood hewed
Emphasizing traditional and enduring methods or values.
No new news, sky bruised, sour amuse bouche
Describing a bleak and unchanging situation with a play on words.
Dour delta blues, blunt-stained tooth
Depicting a gloomy and bitter aspect of life, possibly referencing music or culture.
Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
Repetition of selling out and losing one's soul, possibly about compromise for success.
Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
-Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
-Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
-Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
-Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
-Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
-Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
-Homemade fade, Starter blue and maize
Describing a homemade haircut with reference to Washington Redskins colors.
Shirt had a Bart Simpson phrase
Details about a shirt with a Bart Simpson phrase, possibly a nostalgic reference.
Copped weight outside RFK
Illegal activities outside RFK Stadium, possibly drug-related.
Run off blocks like the counter-trey
Reference to evading obstacles, possibly in a criminal context.
Still, where there's a will, there's a way
Emphasizing determination and finding a way despite challenges.
Time capsule, raw pepper spray haze
Reference to a chaotic and dangerous environment with pepper spray imagery.
One way or another, all debts get paid
Emphasizing the inevitability of settling debts, possibly in a negative way.
Told the brother, all bullets is strays
Advising a sibling about the unpredictability of stray bullets.
Silver Spring Metro, waitin' on that Y8
Waiting for a specific metro line, possibly related to transit difficulties.
Sippin' petrol
Mention of sipping petrol, possibly indicating desperation or harsh conditions.
Waitin' for that heat to break
Anticipating relief or change with the breaking of heat.
Sitting by the AC in the Ethiopian place
Describing a scene in an Ethiopian place with air conditioning.
Best case scenario looking at 8-8
Optimistic scenario of looking at an 8-8 outcome.
Look out the window errything changed
Observing significant changes outside, possibly a metaphor for societal shifts.
Nostalgia Apartheid era street names
Referencing historical street names, possibly tied to racial segregation.
Now you got skin in the game
Having a stake or involvement in current affairs or issues.
Sold it till it sold out
Repetition of selling out and losing one's soul, reinforcing the theme.
(sold it 'till it sold out)
-Sold it till it sold out
-(sold it 'till it sold out)
-Sold it till it sold out
Final repetition of selling out, underscoring the central theme of the lyrics.
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