She done worked a root, done worked a root
That will not be reversed, yeah, no
Then I go on, go on my role in her play
With no rehearsal

Said, I left my mojo left my mojo
In my favorite suit, yes I did, yeah
She left a stain, left a dirty stain in my heart
I can't refute, oh I can't, no I can't

She done worked a root
In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the end of time, yeah
To the end of time

Said, I went, said I went, said I went to the doctor
The man told me there ain't nothin' wrong with me
But I beg to differ, I been feelin' this pain
For much too long, oh, yeah

I feel like my soul is empty
My blood is cold and I can't feel my legs
I need someone to hold me
Bring me back to life before I'm dead
Oh, yeah

She done worked a root, root, root
In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the end of time, time
Oh, oh, oh

I feel my soul is empty
My blood is cold and I can't feel my legs
I need someone to hold me
Bring me back to life before' I'm dead, dead, dead

She done worked a root
In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the

In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the

In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the

In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the

In the name of love and war took my shield and sword
From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the end of time
Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine
From the Alpha to creation, to the end of time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to D'Angelo's "The Root" tell the story of a man who has fallen victim to a woman's "root work," or magic spell. The first verse describes how this woman has worked a spell on him that "will not be reversed." He feels like he is playing a role in her play, with no rehearsal. The next verse describes how he has lost his mojo and how there is a dirty stain in his heart that he cannot refute.

The chorus repeats the phrase "she done worked a root" several times, emphasizing how he has been completely taken over and dominated by this woman's magic. He compares the depth of the curse to the pit of the bottom that knows no floor, and the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine, from the Alpha to creation, to the end of time. He has been completely taken over and there seems to be no escape.

The final verse describes how he has gone to the doctor, but they say there is nothing physically wrong with him. However, he feels like his soul is empty and his blood is cold. He needs someone to hold him and bring him back to life before he is dead. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing once again the power and depth of this woman's root work.

Overall, "The Root" is a powerful tale of the destructive power of love and magic. It explores the idea of losing oneself completely to another person, and the pain and emptiness that can result from such a loss of control.

Line by Line Meaning

She done worked a root, done worked a root That will not be reversed, yeah, no
She has cast a spell that cannot be undone

Then I go on, go on my role in her play With no rehearsal
He is continuing in his part of the relationship without planning or direction

Said, I left my mojo left my mojo In my favorite suit, yes I did, yeah She left a stain, left a dirty stain in my heart I can't refute, oh I can't, no I can't
He has lost his confidence and strength since being with her and feels a deep emotional pain that he can't ignore

She done worked a root In the name of love and war took my shield and sword From the pit of the bottom, that knows no floor Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine From the Alpha to creation, to the end of time, yeah To the end of time
She has cast a powerful spell that has taken away his defenses and left him vulnerable, in love and in war, from the depths of his soul to the end of time

Said, I went, said I went, said I went to the doctor The man told me there ain't nothin' wrong with me But I beg to differ, I been feelin' this pain For much too long, oh, yeah
He seeks help for his pain, but is told there is nothing physically wrong with him, despite his emotional struggles

I feel like my soul is empty My blood is cold and I can't feel my legs I need someone to hold me Bring me back to life before I'm dead Oh, yeah
He feels emotionally dead and needs someone to help him feel alive again

Like the rain to the dirt, from the vine to the wine From the Alpha to creation, to the end of time, time Oh, oh, oh I feel my soul is empty My blood is cold and I can't feel my legs I need someone to hold me Bring me back to life before' I'm dead, dead, dead
The effects of her spell are all-encompassing, from the beginning of time to the end, and he desperately needs help to not feel dead inside

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael D'Angelo Archer, Luther Archer, Sidney Charlie Hunter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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