First, fol… Read Full Bio ↴There are three artists known under the name of Abdullah.
First, following in the influences of Black Sabbath and Sisters of Mercy, the Richfield, OH-based Abdullah got together in 1998 through drummer and vocalist Jeff Shirilla. Accompanied by guitarist Al Seibert, the duo brought on their hybrid of doom metal from their own Rage of Achilles Records and released their debut EP "Snake Lore" in 1999.
There is also second artist using this name, who released the single "I Comma Zimba Zio (Here I Stand The Mighty One)/"Why Them, Why Me" on Motown Records in 1968.
How the man Joseph McLean recording under his Muslim name Abdullah came to be signed by Motown isn't made clear in the notes, but this was his only record, 'cause he was dropped after charging into a white Motown employees office, calling him a blue-eyed devil and pushing a letter opener up under his chin.
And third is Ahmed Abdullah, real name - Leroy Bland
Jazz trumpet player, born on May 10, 1947, in Harlem, New York, USA.
Played with the Sun Ra Arkestra between 1975 and 1997.
Leroy Bland began performing at age 13 in his native New York City. By the 1970s he was performing in New York's loft scene, and joined the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1976, working there on and off until 1993, when Sun Ra died. During that time Abdullah participated in more than 25 recordings and traveled extensively with Sun Ra. He has performed with Chico Freeman, Charles Brackeen, Steve Reid, John Hicks and Marion Brown, among others. He led his own "Solomonic Quintet" and recorded for Silkheart and Cadence Jazz.
Path to Enlightenment
Abdullah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
The dollar signs that you crave
Mark the extent of your faith
Strange are the things we choose to believe in
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
I'll never fit in, no faith to believe in
My resignation tears down the walls of the temple
Your cash betrays your true worth
Obtain your garden on Earth
Profane is the wealth that you believe in
Since you can't be wrong, shield your eyes from the sun
Its light will expose the poverty of your soul
Your wealth cannot save
This sacrament that will fade
Your opulence has no worth
You've sold your soul on this earth
And I'll break from your hold
My life cannot be bought and sold
This truth you will never get
And now you're so far in debt
And I'll break from your hold
My life cannot be bought and sold
This truth you will never get
And now you're so far in debt
The song "The Path to Enlightenment" by Abdullah portrays a critical stance on blind faith and the materialistic society that values wealth over true virtues. The opening lines, "Strange are the things we place our beliefs in/My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple," indicate the songwriter's skepticism towards religious institutions and their followers, who often hang onto their beliefs without questioning their validity. The following lines, "The dollar signs that you crave/Mark the extent of your faith," further emphasize the materialistic aspect of society, where money is synonymous with success and worth.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more explicit in their condemnation of wealth and the exploitation that it entails. "Your cash betrays your true worth/Obtain your garden on Earth" is a scathing remark on those who accumulate wealth at the expense of others, believing it will grant them a luxurious afterlife. The lyrics "Your opulence has no worth/ You've sold your soul on this earth" indicate that material wealth offers no real satisfaction or fulfillment in one's lifetime, reiterating the futility of the chase for money.
The chorus repeats the lines "And I'll break from your hold/ My life cannot be bought and sold/ This truth you will never get/ And now you're so far in debt," which convey the songwriter's realization that he cannot be held down by societal values that prioritize wealth and status over human connections and kindness. The phrase "you're so far in debt" is a play on words, referring to both financial debt as well as spiritual emptiness and ignorance that accumulate when one prioritizes material possessions over inner growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Strange are the things we place our beliefs in
Our beliefs can sometimes seem strange or arbitrary, and we may not fully understand why we cling to them
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
My doubts and fears are powerful enough to shake the very foundation of my faith
The dollar signs that you crave
Your desire for money and material wealth is a reflection of your underlying faith and values
Mark the extent of your faith
The things you are willing to sacrifice for money reveal the depth and sincerity of your belief system
I'll never fit in, no faith to believe in
I feel like an outsider, disconnected from any religious or spiritual community or tradition
My resignation tears down the walls of the temple
My acceptance of my lack of faith undermines the structures and institutions that rely on belief to survive
Your cash betrays your true worth
Your obsession with money reveals a deficiency in your character and values
Obtain your garden on Earth
You are seeking immediate pleasure and gratification rather than investing in a more meaningful and lasting spiritual existence
Profane is the wealth that you believe in
The type of wealth that you value and pursue is vulgar, base, and unworthy of true respect
Since you can't be wrong, shield your eyes from the sun
Your unwillingness to confront the possibility of your own fallibility blinds you to the truth and impedes your spiritual growth
Its light will expose the poverty of your soul
The clarity and insight provided by self-reflection and introspection will reveal the inadequacy and emptiness of your being
Your wealth cannot save
No amount of money or material possessions can rescue you from the fundamental existential challenges of mortality and meaning
This sacrament that will fade
The temporary pleasures and superficial joys provided by your current way of life will inevitably pass away
Your opulence has no worth
The status and power derived from your wealth and material possessions are ultimately meaningless and empty
You've sold your soul on this earth
Your obsessive pursuit of wealth has corrupted and compromised your true self and higher purpose
And I'll break from your hold
I will resist and escape the grip of your materialistic and superficial worldview
My life cannot be bought and sold
The value and meaning of my existence transcends any monetary or material considerations
This truth you will never get
You will never understand or appreciate the authenticity and depth of my spiritual convictions
And now you're so far in debt
Your obsessive and misguided pursuit of wealth has left you deeply indebted and spiritually bankrupt
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mehdi Addi
Strange are the things we place our beliefs in
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
The dollar signs that you crave
Mark the extent of your faith
Strange are the things we choose to believe in
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
I'll never fit in, no faith to believe in
My resignation tears down the walls of the temple
Your cash betrays your true worth
Obtain your garden on Earth
Profane is the wealth that you believe in
Since you can't be wrong, shield your eyes from the sun
Its light will expose the poverty of your soul
Your wealth cannot save
This sacrament that will fade
Your opulence has no worth
You've sold your soul on this earth
And I'll break from your hold
My life cannot be bought and sold
This truth you will never get
And now you're so far in debt
Mehdi Addi
Strange are the things we place our beliefs in
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
The dollar signs that you crave
Mark the extent of your faith
Strange are the things we choose to believe in
My apprehensions tear down the walls of the temple
I'll never fit in, no faith to believe in
My resignation tears down the walls of the temple
Your cash betrays your true worth
Obtain your garden on Earth
Profane is the wealth that you believe in
Since you can't be wrong, shield your eyes from the sun
Its light will expose the poverty of your soul
Your wealth cannot save
This sacrament that will fade
Your opulence has no worth
You've sold your soul on this earth
And I'll break from your hold
My life cannot be bought and sold
This truth you will never get
And now you're so far in debt
DOUBLE D
Jeff Shirilla is an underground musical genius, man. Super underrated.
Andrew Mince
I agree, but lately I've been trying to track down what Al Seibert has been up to. Also what Jeff has been up to. Jeff was super cool, used to email back and forth with him back when I had hair. Payed him $20 and he sent me a bunch of demos from Abdullah and a project he was laying down tracks for, Isis.
Skuzzman666
@Andrew Mince Any chance you have demos from one of Jeff's projects called, "This is Antarctica"? Can't find any trace of them online anymore.
Andrew Mince
@Skuzzman666 Jeff seems to have removed them from his soundcloud and youtube channel
DOUBLE D
At least we have this.
Peter Collinson
4:35
Love the impassioned vocals and the cool trade-offs with the lead guitar.
Samuecka Samueskacho
the best band in my opinion
DOUBLE D
Not incorrect.
PlainSpiced
Funny, my name is Abdullah :p