Body of Work
Billy Woods Lyrics

Breaking rocks out here on a chain gang
I am metaphorically stuck in a never-ending cycle of hard work and servitude, struggling to make progress.

Breaking rocks, serving my time
Continuously working and serving my sentence, hoping to eventually find freedom.

Working, but I still got so far to go
Despite my efforts, I feel like I have a long journey ahead of me before I can reach my goals.

Aging at the edge of an ageless void
In this timeless existence, I am growing older without a sense of purpose or direction.

Too old to be young and too young to be old
I find myself in a state of limbo, not fitting into either the carefree youth or the wisdom of old age.

Or young enough to be paranoid
Despite my age, I still experience feelings of fear and anxiety.

I'm just flowing with the waves to stay afloat
I am adaptively navigating through life's challenges and uncertainties to survive.

Paddling on a board while praying for a boat
I am making do with what I have, hoping for better circumstances in the future.

And some rope but I'll settle for a mic cord
I desire the tools necessary to express myself and create, even if they are not ideal.

Center of the seesaw
I feel caught between opposing forces, constantly balancing and adjusting to maintain stability.

Mamma told me I was very wealthy
My mother instilled in me the belief that true wealth is not measured solely by material possessions.

Depending on your definition of rich and the way you see poor
The concept of wealth and poverty is subjective and varies depending on individual perspectives.

I'm a Father and still a Sun
Although I am a parent, I still feel a sense of youthfulness and radiance.

On the middle of the road bopping like I got no place to go and some place to come
I am aimlessly moving forward, simultaneously without direction and with an ultimate destination in mind.

Positive warns me of the deceptions of negative
Optimism cautions me about the manipulative nature of pessimism.

Negative is trying to convince me to believe positive is a sedative
Pessimism attempts to persuade me that optimism is merely a temporary distraction from reality.

I pondered this and learned that they both are relative to life on Earth
Reflecting on this, I realized that both optimism and pessimism are subjective and can vary depending on one's experiences in life.

And sometimes feels like a repetitive burn
At times, life can feel like a monotonous and painful cycle of hardships.

Ashes to ashes held captive in the urn
In the end, we all return to dust, trapped within the confinement of mortality.

The ink embroidered, black exploited
Words written with ink symbolize the exploitation and marginalization of the black community.

Crackers bought it
Those in power, represented by the term 'crackers,' benefit from and reinforce this exploitation.

Crack was boiling, niggas balling
The crack epidemic led to the destruction of black communities, while individuals lost themselves in pursuit of material gain.

Clientele calling
Drug users seeking their next fix, contributing to the perpetuation of the cycle.

My Excel fishtail like a dolphin
I skillfully maneuver through life's challenges, swiftly and gracefully like a dolphin swimming in the ocean.

Instead of talking
Rather than merely discussing or boasting about my abilities, I let my actions speak for themselves.

Money's corporate, progress forward
In a capitalist society, money and financial success are integral to making advancements in life.

Bunnies is gorgeous
Women, symbolized as bunnies, are admired for their beauty.

Picture me selling 20's on some '94 shit
Imagine me engaging in illegal activities related to selling drugs, reminiscent of the 1990s era.

Cutting dummies on porcelain
I am dividing and processing drugs on a reflective surface, typically associated with drug use.

All my jewelry is frosted
My accessories, like jewelry, are adorned with diamonds or precious gems.

Pigs is on corners more often
Police officers frequently patrol the streets, monitoring and patrolling communities.

I'm feeling exhausted
I am emotionally and physically drained, worn out from the challenges and obstacles I face.

I pray my sins don't fall upon my offspring
I hope that the consequences of my actions do not negatively impact my children.

Grown man pants, wallets and ID's
As an adult, I take on the responsibilities associated with maturity, such as managing finances and identification.

Health insurance policies
I prioritize my well-being by securing health insurance coverage.

Wallabees and collard greens
I enjoy the finer things in life, such as comfortable and stylish footwear (Wallabees) and delicious food (collard greens).

Eating right, these the finer things in life
Taking care of my physical health by making nutritious food choices is a form of luxury to me.

I see your ring in the light
I notice and acknowledge the preciousness and significance of the jewelry you wear.

Everything that bling ain't ice
Not everything that sparkles or appears valuable is truly valuable or authentic.

Niggas think that they nice
Some individuals believe they are talented or skilled, often in the realm of music or art.

Scat rapping in tights
These people attempt to freestyle or improvise their performances, often in close-fitting clothing.

That math isn't right
Their calculations or judgments are flawed and inaccurate.

This is rapper's delight
This lyric is a reference to the influential hip-hop song 'Rapper's Delight,' highlighting the culture and enjoyment found in rap music.

Now I'm through packaging white
I have completed the process of dividing and preparing narcotics for sale.

Rap with the passion of Christ
My lyrics and performances are delivered with an intense and fervent devotion, similar to the passion exhibited by Jesus Christ.

Don't get the facts half-right, yeah
It is important to fully understand and accurately interpret the facts before making judgments or forming opinions.

Work my land, slash and burn
I toil and cultivate my own space, clearing and preparing it for growth through a process of destruction and renewal.

Elephant hands, every callus earned
My hands, rough and worn from hard labor, symbolize the countless hours of work and perseverance.

With hoe and machete, wet earth turn
Using basic tools like a hoe and machete, I cultivate and shape the earth, preparing it for planting.

Deep in the dirt, king of the worm
Engaging intimately with the earth, I am like a ruler or authority figure among the worms and creatures that inhabit it.

Hyenas circle, cackle, blood curdle
Surrounded by deceitful and predatory individuals, their laughter and presence evoke a sense of fear and unease.

Night dark as pitch
The darkness of the night is thick, consuming and devoid of light.

I'm up when the sky's purple
In the early morning hours, just before dawn breaks, I am awake and active, embracing the transition between darkness and light.

Tapping ashes off clips
Removing the remnants of burned substances from a cigarette or joint, typically used as a metaphor for living dangerously or indulging in vices.

Left the shebeen with her and said 'do your dance quick'
I departed from a gathering place, often associated with alcohol and socializing, and encouraged a woman to perform a dance swiftly.

Now c'mon baby, tell me what's the word
Expressing an eagerness to engage in conversation and connect with a woman, asking for her opinion or thoughts.

Green thumb, No metal fingers but I'm still living off special herbs
I possess a talent for cultivating plants and a deep knowledge of herbal medicine, relying on the healing properties of nature.

Callaloo and cassava, big ganja
I enjoy traditional Caribbean dishes like callaloo and cassava, often accompanied by the use of marijuana.

Aiming at Impalas
Metaphorically targeting and pursuing goals and achievements, symbolized by Impalas, which are fast and agile animals.

They came at dusk, wearing balaclavas
In a covert and menacing manner, individuals approached under the cover of twilight, their identities concealed by balaclavas.

"You die today for the sins of your fathers"
Threateningly, it is suggested that the consequences of ancestors' wrongdoings will be faced in the present.

Is it really stealing when you robbing from robbers?
Questioning the morality and ethics of taking from those who themselves engage in illicit or unethical activities.

Is it actually fake when you already posing as impostors?
If one is already pretending to be something they are not, does it make any difference if other aspects of their persona are also inauthentic?

Shoot the Boer, Kill the Farmer
A controversial phrase used in South Africa, representative of the ongoing conflicts and tensions surrounding land ownership and the mistreatment of farmers.

Crack that Cape lobster
Cracking open the shell of a Cape lobster, symbolizing a desire to consume or overcome societal barriers or restrictions.

Boiling in Durban with poison
In the city of Durban, tensions and dangers bubble and intensify, often fueled by negative influences and destructive behaviors.

Red dirt soiling
The red soil, characteristic of certain regions, represents the stain or contamination brought upon by violence and oppression.

Black bodies toiling, mambas coiling
Black individuals are subjected to labor and hardship, while venomous snakes (mambas) evoke a sense of danger and imminent threat.

Overnight, that sweet milk spoiling
In a short span of time, innocence and purity are corrupted and tainted, likened to milk turning sour or rotten.