Robeson
Saul Williams Lyrics
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Depending on the circumstance I show my tools to where niggas know where I'm just a fishing pants
Beginning with the aftermath sayers of sooth who stand aloof to hide their inner laugh
Depending on the circumstance I show my tools to where niggas know where I'm just a fishing pants
I slept once, The dream has yet to end
It was a purple evening such as this, the curtains had been pulled by a hand unattached
I lay propped on a pillow of eagle feathers on a couch framed with the skeletons of my uncles and great uncles
I did not intend to close my eyes but then I did
The night is falling on the moist palms of children too weak to bear it's weight
The stars are visibly breathing in fact they almost look as if they are chewing gum
The moon is crescented on both sides while its center remains unseen
I can faintly hear my mother calling me, or is that my sister singing songs of the railroad?
Robeson is reflected in a floating mirror
Then I realize that the mirror is not floating but being pulled by a white horse and in great golden chariot, the horse has human feet
I look down at my feet and they are hooves. When I look up it is no longer night, the sun covers the entire sky as if it were stretched to reach all corners, flames are visible but not threatening.
A girl brushes my knee with her tail, she is wearing pink overalls and rollerblades, she signals for me to follow her, as soon as I take a step towards her I'm flying.
There are rocky mountains below me, I decide to land in a small settlement between mountains
A man walks up to me, he is my father but he introduces himself as John Galt. I ask him if he is the Reverend John Galt. we begin to say the Lord's prayer together, the whole world seems to join in
The mountains have mouths;
I am standing at an altar, it takes a second to realize I'm getting married
The woman beside me, my bride, is sitting in lotus position on an Indian silk pillow
She is holding a white umbrella over her head, I cannot see her, I keep whispering to her, It's okay love, it's okay love? and she keeps shushing me, and shushing me,
I'm wearing a backpack I decide to take it off and open it up, It's filled with colouring books and I keep thinking
"I have to be done in time to pick Saturn up from school, I have to be done in time to pick Saturn up from school, I have to be done in time
To pick Saturn up from school"
My darling Saturn I seem to break your heart daily, how could I ever neglect to hug you
You are a planet hugged by a rainbow, forgive me
I sometime become so consumed in the travails of my own heart that I neglect yours
And there is no greater crime I will never commit it again, for there is no other adultery
You are my child, God's gift to the world God's will be done, I love you.
The lyrics of the song Robeson by Saul Williams are enigmatic and dreamlike, filled with surreal imagery and disjointed scenes that shift and change without warning. The song begins with a description of the aftermath of some undisclosed event, with the singer referring to "sayers of sooth who stand aloof to hide their inner laugh." The use of the word "sooth" suggests that these people might be trying to offer comfort, but are doing so in a hypocritical or insincere way. The singer reveals that, depending on the circumstances, he will "show his tools," indicating a sense of readiness or preparation for whatever might come his way.
The singer then describes a dream, which takes him through a series of strange and fantastical scenes. He sees himself lying on a couch made of the skeletons of his ancestors, then flying through the sky with the help of a girl in pink overalls and rollerblades. He lands in a settlement between mountains, where he realizes he is getting married but cannot see his bride. He then speaks directly to his son, Saturn, acknowledging the ways in which he has neglected him in the past and promising never to do so again.
Line by Line Meaning
Beginning with the aftermath sayers of sooth who stand aloof to hide their inner laugh
People who give false advice and hide behind a façade of aloofness
Depending on the circumstance I show my tools to where niggas know where I'm just a fishing pants
I adapt to situations and reveal my true self to those who understand me
I slept once, The dream has yet to end
The dreamlike state of life is never-ending
It was a purple evening such as this, the curtains had been pulled by a hand unattached
Setting the scene of the dream with surreal imagery
I lay propped on a pillow of eagle feathers on a couch framed with the skeletons of my uncles and great uncles
Sleeping in a bizarre, ancestral setting
I did not intend to close my eyes but then I did
Falling asleep unintentionally
The night is falling on the moist palms of children too weak to bear it's weight
Personifying the darkness of the night and its effect on the vulnerable
The stars are visibly breathing in fact they almost look as if they are chewing gum
Surreal perception of the stars
The moon is crescented on both sides while its center remains unseen
Detailed observation of the moon's appearance
I can faintly hear my mother calling me, or is that my sister singing songs of the railroad?
Ambiguous sounds from the dream's surroundings
Robeson is reflected in a floating mirror
The appearance of Robeson in the dream
Then I realize that the mirror is not floating but being pulled by a white horse and in great golden chariot, the horse has human feet
More surreal imagery of the dream world
I look down at my feet and they are hooves. When I look up it is no longer night, the sun covers the entire sky as if it were stretched to reach all corners, flames are visible but not threatening.
The transformation of the dreamer's appearance and surreal perception of the sun and flames
A girl brushes my knee with her tail, she is wearing pink overalls and rollerblades, she signals for me to follow her, as soon as I take a step towards her I'm flying.
Interactions with fantastical beings in the dream world
There are rocky mountains below me, I decide to land in a small settlement between mountains
Continuation of the surreal journey in the dream
A man walks up to me, he is my father but he introduces himself as John Galt. I ask him if he is the Reverend John Galt. we begin to say the Lord's prayer together, the whole world seems to join in
Interactions with dream characters and reference to religious undertones
The mountains have mouths;
More surreal imagery of the dream world
I am standing at an altar, it takes a second to realize I'm getting married
A sudden realization and shift in the dream's setting and events
The woman beside me, my bride, is sitting in lotus position on an Indian silk pillow
Descriptions of the dream bride's appearance
She is holding a white umbrella over her head, I cannot see her, I keep whispering to her, It's okay love, it's okay love? and she keeps shushing me, and shushing me,
More details on the dream bride and surreal interactions
I'm wearing a backpack I decide to take it off and open it up, It's filled with colouring books and I keep thinking
The dreamer's personal belongings and thoughts in the dream world
"I have to be done in time to pick Saturn up from school, I have to be done in time to pick Saturn up from school, I have to be done in time
To pick Saturn up from school"
The dreamer's concern for his child in the dream world
My darling Saturn I seem to break your heart daily, how could I ever neglect to hug you
Addressing the dreamer's child and expressing remorse about their relationship
You are a planet hugged by a rainbow, forgive me
Using surreal imagery to show the importance of the child and asking for forgiveness
I sometime become so consumed in the travails of my own heart that I neglect yours
Acknowledging the negative effect of the dreamer's own struggles on their relationship with their child
And there is no greater crime I will never commit it again, for there is no other adultery
You are my child, God's gift to the world God's will be done, I love you.
Promising to prioritize the child and accept God's will, expressing love for the child
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAUL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blainnorvun769
Robeson is now a massive inspiration. Listening to this 20 years ago I didn’t even know. Mr Williams educate and elevate further and wider before time even known.
@KC-ic7vi
takes me way back ....
@Overton_Windows
He's walking us through his dream... More "flying" us through it...
If you can get past the beginning and follow what he's saying, one could feel like they are right with him.
@gv8521
Ryan Ranger that's exactly right, nice way to put it.
@nadiaminerva
Definitely Shamanic. It reminds me of the gold top trip you NEED more than what you WANT 😁
@zombiezzy
thank you for that