Judas
Esperanza Spalding Lyrics

Judas, you know the lonesome road, don't you?
Addressing Judas, the singer acknowledges that he is aware of the hard and lonely path that Judas leads.

Collecting bottle caps of rum
A metaphorical description of Judas' tendency to collect small and insignificant things that appease him.

Honest sinning to chase the blues
Judas finds temporary relief by committing honest sins that help him deal with his emotional distress.

Blurrier till kingdom comes
Judas' actions and life are becoming increasingly vague and hazy. He is gradually losing sight of his path.

Take a little girl who gets to see her mama broke down
Referring to a young girl who witnesses her mother's difficulties and suffering.

Now she's a lady made for the modern world, my life
The girl has grown up to be a woman who is capable of dealing with the challenges of contemporary society.

But if you ask my advice us raging girls
The singer suggests that women who have dealt with adversity in their lives are better equipped to handle the problems of the world.

Are china dolls fed up with all that follows
Women may be perceived as delicate and fragile, but they are tired of being treated as such and often become fed up with societal expectations.

All the way down
Despite their hardships, women will not be broken and will persevere in their struggles.

Digging up holy scriptures to shame her while she drowns
People may use religion to condemn and belittle women, even when they are already struggling and drowning in their problems.

But if you ask my advice that's shallow gets a bargin next to Judgment Day
The singer believes that people who use religion in such a manner will not have a place in heaven and will get what they deserve.

It's only a matter of time, honey
Karma will catch up to these shallow individuals sooner or later.

Good money
The riches and successes that people attain through wrong or immoral means.

Sixth blew her teeth
A reference to a woman's loss of her appearance as she ages and her teeth fall out.

She's not evil
Despite her struggles and failures, the woman is not a bad person.

Forgive this innocent wrecking ball (man-made)
The woman's mistakes and problems are not entirely her fault but rather the result of societal expectations and standards.

Take a little boy who gets to see his papa broke down
Referring to a young boy who sees his father's weaknesses and troubles.

Now he's a shadow made for the modern world, my life
As a result, the boy has grown up to be a man who struggles to fit into contemporary society.

But if you ask my advice, us raging boys
The singer suggests that men who face adversity are better equipped to handle the problems of the world.

Are Indian cowboy's high on toys, that follow
Men may appear strong and powerful, but they too have their vices that distract them from their problems and goals.

Locking up holy figures to shame the whole damn town
People may use religious figures to guilt and blame others for their problems and to further their own agendas.

Their island cage
Despite their superficial strength, men are often stuck in their problems and trapped by societal constructs.

Can't hold the rising sea, of rage
Despite their limitations, men can and will become enraged by their circumstances and eventually break free from them.

It's only a matter of time, honey
Like in the case of women, karma will also catch up to men who use religion to shame and control.

Good money
Pursuing success and riches at any cost is not morally right.

Made on the street
The success and riches attained through immoral means are not substantial or long-lasting.

He's not evil
Despite his struggles and mistakes, the man is not a bad person.

Forgive this innocent wrecking ball (man-made)
The man's difficulties and failures are not entirely his fault but rather the result of societal expectations and standards.

You either love him or you leave him
People often have to make a choice whether to accept someone with their flaws and imperfections or to abandon them altogether.

Are you the lover or a chain?
Are you someone who supports and loves others, or do you hold them back and restrict their growth?