Lyrics
Standing in the ruins
Describing a person standing amidst destruction and decay.
Of another Black man's life
Reflecting on the impact of the loss of another Black man's life.
Or flying through the valley
Metaphorically flying through a challenging or divisive experience.
Separating day and night
Symbolizing the separation between light (good) and darkness (evil).
"I am death" cried the Vulture
Attributing the voice of death to a vulture, possibly representing destruction or malevolence.
"For the people of the light"
Stating that the vulture claims to bring death to the people of the light.
Charon brought his raft
Introducing Charon, a mythical figure associated with transporting souls to the afterlife.
From the sea that sails on souls
Describing Charon's raft as emerging from the sea of souls, implying a journey to the afterlife.
And saw the scavenger departing
Observing the vulture leaving, taking warm hearts to a cold place, possibly signifying death.
Taking warm hearts to the cold
Highlighting the harsh reality of death, especially in impoverished communities.
He knew the ghetto was the haven
Acknowledging that the ghetto serves as a refuge for the most ruthless individuals.
For the meanest creature ever known
Characterizing the ghetto as a dwelling place for extreme cruelty.
In a wilderness of heartbreak
Depicting a vast, desolate landscape of heartbreak.
And a desert of despair
Describing a wilderness filled with despair.
Evil's carrion of justice
Referring to the consequences of evil actions as a carrion of justice.
Shrieks a cry of naked terror
Expressing a cry of terror in response to the actions of evil.
He's taking babies from their momas
Indicating the vulture's cruel act of separating mothers from their babies.
And leaving grief beyond compare
Describing the profound grief left behind by the vulture's actions.
So if you see the Vulture coming
Issuing a warning to be vigilant and aware of impending danger.
Flying circles in your mind
Advising that the vulture, representing destruction, will be persistent in one's thoughts.
Remember there is no escaping
Emphasizing the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's actions.
For he will follow close behind
Stressing that the consequences will closely follow and be inescapable.
Only promised me a battle
Indicating that the speaker was only promised a battle, emphasizing the difficulty of the struggle.
Battle for your soul and mine
Summarizing the central theme, a battle for the souls of both the speaker and the listener.
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