Bloody Waters
Ab-Soul Lyrics
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Meet the man in the mask
All those days and all that stays and
I don't keep it
I won't be here for it
All those days and all that stays and
I don't keep it though
I won't be here for it
Yes Lord, huh
Hail Mary's in the sky
Bossed up, let's get buried alive
Head on the throne 'cause that's where I reside (reside)
Ways of the world that we won't survive
Something's in the water (water)
My nigga we lawless (lawless)
Please move with caution
Who set the fairway? (Fairway)
Damn right I need all this (all this)
Yeah, Jack, I need all this, eyy
Hittas acquitted with fingerprints on the Glock
Screamin' we gon' make it like two-thirds of The LOX
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Blah blah, he comes, blah blah
Blood on my hands I'ma need hot agua
You gon' meet your maker I won't say it in Patois
Hope I strike a nerve like a pack of matches
You might wanna bypass, this smoke ain't gas trick
A prince-turned-pauper trying to do like kings do
Sweating in chess games try move like kings move
You should slow your roll before you drown in the moat
He tried to channel balance but never found the remote
Killers on the prowl still juggin' off a lick
Stealing, with a double for his
Common politics, everlasting mayhem
Draw to stick you for your figures, that's how they hang man
So what's your game plan, if you got one?
You aimin' at passengers with a shotgun? (Woah)
The aftermath is you in the scope
It's warfare, is war fair? (No)
You understand? It's probably better you don't
Just keep a dock on standby, charter a boat
Ship set sailing, planes depart
The big picture's in motion, are you playing your part?
Before the lights get dark and the curtains get closed
Are you playing your role?
As told by an organized criminal
And general, get off my genitals, I got your general
Hail Mary's in the sky
Bossed up, let's get buried alive
Head on the throne 'cause that's where I reside (reside)
Ways of the world that we won't survive
Something's in the water (the water)
My nigga we lawless (lawless)
Please move with caution
Who set the fairway? (Fairway)
Damn right I need all this (all this)
Yeah, Jack, I need all this
I had to be about 9 when I first had seen it
Low lows pulled up outside of the Ralph's
After a car show at Dominguez
They had a disagreement, they had to air out
Just another day in Del Amo
Fo' sho man down, mando
Thank God I never had to knock your partner off
Or be an another casualty of war, Amen
There's 4 footprints in the sand where I walk
I never claimed to be a saint at all
Four Russians trippin' with hollow tips
And a Kalashnikov, ain't that y'all
No, Soulo hoe, kept it clean
Riding dirty, jury would have gave me thirty
Herbie love buggin' out, hit the target blindfolded
Electorial college devoted
To hit the score, to write the score, that's not a metaphor
Raging against the machinery, taping up the scenery
You gotta keep the piece, to keep the peace
Got dough, squad up and mopped the block up for a cleaning fee
I don't need you to change
I don't need you to change yourself (get, get away)
But I've got get away (get, get away)
But I've got get away from it all
Be as free as you can
Be as free as you can away from me
I tried to be a saint like everybody else
The lyrics of Ab-Soul's song "Bloody Waters" are complex and multi-layered, addressing a range of social and political issues, as well as personal struggles. The repeated reference to the "man in the mask" suggests a figure of secrecy or anonymity, perhaps representing the hidden forces behind the violence and chaos that are described in the song. The imagery of "Hail Marys in the sky" and the repeated refrain of "something's in the water" suggest the sense of danger and impending doom that permeates the world of the song, while the reference to being "buried alive" evokes a sense of claustrophobia and helplessness.
The central theme of the song seems to be the idea of survival in a world that is marked by violence and lawlessness. Ab-Soul describes a range of scenarios in which individuals are forced to fight or be killed, from gang violence to police brutality. He also touches on issues of political corruption and societal inequality, suggesting that the powerful hold all the cards and that survival requires a kind of adaptability and cunning that is often beyond the reach of the average person. Ultimately, the song is a plea for freedom and a call to arms for those who are willing to fight for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Meet the man in the mask
Introducing the main character, the man in the mask
All those days and all that stays and
I don't keep it
I won't be here for it
All those days and all that stays and
I don't keep it though
I won't be here for it
Acknowledging past experiences that were not worth keeping and saying he won't stick around for more of the same
Yes Lord, huh
Hail Mary's in the sky
Bossed up, let's get buried alive
Head on the throne 'cause that's where I reside (reside)
Ways of the world that we won't survive
Something's in the water (water)
My nigga we lawless (lawless)
Please move with caution
Who set the fairway? (Fairway)
Damn right I need all this (all this)
Yeah, Jack, I need all this, eyy
Affirming his power and confidence, describing the world as dangerous and unpredictable and expressing his desire to have it all
Hittas acquitted with fingerprints on the Glock
Screamin' we gon' make it like two-thirds of The LOX
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Blah blah, he comes, blah blah
Referencing previous criminals who beat charges despite being caught and comparing their success to his own aspirations
Blood on my hands I'ma need hot agua
You gon' meet your maker I won't say it in Patois
Hope I strike a nerve like a pack of matches
You might wanna bypass, this smoke ain't gas trick
Admitting guilt and needing to clean up, warning his enemies that he won't hesitate to harm them and aiming to provoke a reaction
A prince-turned-pauper trying to do like kings do
Sweating in chess games try move like kings move
You should slow your roll before you drown in the moat
He tried to channel balance but never found the remote
Describing a difficult situation where he is trying to live like royalty but struggling, acknowledging the challenge of strategizing and warning against moving too quickly with potential consequences
Killers on the prowl still juggin' off a lick
Stealing, with a double for his
Common politics, everlasting mayhem
Draw to stick you for your figures, that's how they hang man
So what's your game plan, if you got one?
You aimin' at passengers with a shotgun? (Woah)
The aftermath is you in the scope
It's warfare, is war fair? (No)
You understand? It's probably better you don't
Just keep a dock on standby, charter a boat
Ship set sailing, planes depart
The big picture's in motion, are you playing your part?
Before the lights get dark and the curtains get closed
Are you playing your role?
As told by an organized criminal
And general, get off my genitals, I got your general
Painting a picture of a dangerous environment where people are willing to do anything to get ahead and warning people to have a plan and understand their role, while boasting about his own authority and command
Be as free as you can
Be as free as you can away from me
I tried to be a saint like everybody else
Encouraging people to be themselves and be free, even if it means separating from him while expressing a sense of failure in trying to be perfect like others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Herbert Stevens, James Blake Litherland, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears, Robin Hannibal Moelsted Braun
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind