Lye
Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics


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Uh, yup, yup, yup

Same one that I forgot to praise, still above me
One thing about it, I'ma beat 'em to the punches
Stumped all day, thinkin' mama, where the love went?
With every triplet of trips around the sun
Some of the sludge get thicker
I'm chippin' away at crust
Hold your head, ya shit is in for a whole 'nother bust
Roamin' the Citadel
On foot, eleven when the spliff gave me a rush
Play in the cuts like a DJ
Let me know if you wan' tangle with some, lemon merengue
Wallabees sole stained gum
Explorin' a couple different avenues and stayin' dangerous
Day drunk, yuh
Sometimes the pain sit and fester into hate, beloved
I'm workin' on it
It's worth the time (it's worth the time)
Further down the line, you might realize
What's yours obviously mine
Toss the sword back into the vines
Callin' out for Lord, lookin' low and high
Finally found it at the core of my dimming fire
It's a little lye
What's a little lie? (Lie, lie)
Tell 'em

Gotta make it straight
Feel the jar, it's hot
The longer you can stand it, the straighter it's gon' be
I gritted my teeth, my eyes watered, my nose was runnin'




I couldn't stand it any longer
Then my head caught fire

Overall Meaning

In Earl Sweatshirt's song "Lye," he talks about the struggles he is facing in life and how he is trying to work through them. He starts the song off by referencing someone that he forgot to praise, but who is still above him, possibly referencing a higher power or a person who has helped him in the past. He then goes on to talk about his mentality of beating others to the punch, meaning he wants to be proactive instead of reactive. Earl goes on to reflect on the sludge in his life, referencing how life can become difficult and murky at times. He says he is chipping away at the crust, meaning he is working to find clarity in his situation.


As the song goes on, Earl mentions how he is exploring different avenues and staying dangerous, making it apparent that he is trying new things and taking risks, trying to get himself out of his current situation. He references how pain can often lead to hate, but he is working on it and believes it is worth the time to make things right. He states that eventually, what's yours is obviously mine, and he tosses the sword back into the vines. This possibly means that he is relinquishing control or is trying to let go of something that he has held onto for too long.


Finally, Earl talks about finding something at the core of his dimming fire, which turns out to be a little lye. He asks, "what's a little lie?" which could mean that sometimes, a small deception is necessary to get to where you need to be. He ends the song by saying that he has to make it straight and that the longer you can stand it, the straighter it will be. He then talks about gritting his teeth and enduring the pain until his head catches fire, leaving the listener to interpret what that means for themselves.


Line by Line Meaning

Same one that I forgot to praise, still above me
Referring to a higher power, the singer acknowledges that they've forgotten to give thanks but still recognizes the greater force at work


One thing about it, I'ma beat 'em to the punches
The singer is ready to take on challenges and obstacles before they can even come up


Stumped all day, thinkin' mama, where the love went?
Feeling lost and alone, the singer wonders where the affection and warmth they once felt have gone


With every triplet of trips around the sun, some of the sludge get thicker
As time goes on, things become more difficult and complicated


I'm chippin' away at crust
Slowly but surely, the artist is working to break through a hard exterior or barrier


Hold your head, ya shit is in for a whole 'nother bust
Advice to keep one's head up, as things are about to get even tougher


Roamin' the Citadel
The singer is exploring or wandering around a fortress or stronghold


On foot, eleven when the spliff gave me a rush
At a young age, the artist experienced a thrill or high from smoking marijuana


Play in the cuts like a DJ
To move around unnoticed and unseen, like a DJ cuts songs together


Let me know if you wan' tangle with some, lemon merengue
The artist is offering a challenge to anyone who wants to engage in some sort of altercation or fight


Wallabees sole stained gum
A reference to the dirty or worn-out shoes that the singer is wearing


Explorin' a couple different avenues and stayin' dangerous
The artist is taking risks and trying new things, even if it means putting themselves in danger


Day drunk, yuh
Admitting to being drunk during the day


Sometimes the pain sit and fester into hate, beloved
The singer acknowledges that pain can turn into bitterness or anger


I'm workin' on it, it's worth the time (it's worth the time)
The singer is committing to putting in the effort to work through their issues, knowing that it will be worth it in the end


Further down the line, you might realize what's yours obviously mine
In the future, the listener may come to understand that what they thought belonged to them was actually the artist's all along


Toss the sword back into the vines
The artist is letting go of something that was causing them harm or pain


Callin' out for Lord, lookin' low and high
The singer is searching for guidance and help from a higher power


Finally found it at the core of my dimming fire
The singer has found solace or comfort within themselves, even as their passion or energy starts to fade


It's a little lye, what's a little lie? (Lie, lie)
The artist is questioning the idea of lying and its consequences


Tell 'em
Asking the listener to spread the message or truth


Gotta make it straight
Something needs to be corrected or fixed


Feel the jar, it's hot
Recognizing that the situation is intense or heated


The longer you can stand it, the straighter it's gon' be
Enduring the challenge will ultimately lead to a better outcome


I gritted my teeth, my eyes watered, my nose was runnin'
The singer is showing physical signs of discomfort or pain


I couldn't stand it any longer
The singer reached their threshold for what they could handle


Then my head caught fire
The situation became overwhelming or intense and caused the singer to lose control or feel out of their mind




Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: Alan Maman, Thebe Kgositsile

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Kay-zv3lr

Sometimes the pain sit and fester into hate, beloved
I'm working on it
It's worth the time
Further down the line
Might realise
What's yours obviously mine
Toss the sword back into the vines
Calling out for Lord, looking low and high
Finally found it at the core of my dimming fire

incredible



@MARQ247

[Intro]
Yep, yep, yep

[Verse] Earl Sweatshirt
Same one that I forgot to praise still above me
One thing about it, I'ma beat 'em to the punches
Stumped all day, thinkin', "Mama, where the love went?"
With every triplet of trips around the sun, some of the sludge get thicker
I'm chippin' away at crust
Hold your head, your shit is in for a whole 'nother bust
Roamin' the citadel, on foot eleven when the spliff gave me a rush
Play in the cuts like a DJ
Let me know if you wanna tangle with some
Lemon merengue, Wallabees sole stained gum
Explorin' a couple different avenues and stayin' dangerous, day drunk, yeah
Sometimes the pain sit and fester into hate, beloved
I'm workin' on it
It's worth the time
Further down the line
Might realize
What's yours obviously mine
Toss the sword back into the vines
Callin' out for Lord, lookin' low and high
Finally found it at the core of my dimming fire
What's a little lie? What's a little lie?
Tell 'em

[Verse 2] MARQ 24/7

I'l tell 'em, I'll tell 'em...
A little lie, who am I black guy
How much did lil white lies hurt lil black boys
Childhood full of joy built on plenty of coy
Spells by malfoy, harry aint have a potter to piss in
His misfortune, who would've missed him
Tell tale signs after they kiss 'em
Could you identify,
Come wash your mouth with lye till you spit up truth
Alphabet soup eater, slick talker breeder
Cant even walk the walk
Just settle for talk and watch people become chemists with words
Reinvented the verb
Earl what's the word...
yo

-24/7



All comments from YouTube:

@sydbrown310

it's been such a pleasure to witness this man fine tune is own flow over the years. literally the only artist I feel any real connection to. As Earl fans I know someone else feels me

@themontaukmonster1

He’s been getting worse

@memebigboy7042

​@Brian He's been changing his style he's not getting worse, he's evolving

@LoopDogg

@me me big boy in your opinion

@vroomstik4335

@Brian nah, evolving my boy. we’re just subject to thinking change is bad.

@andilegeya5870

Cant have a rapper doing the same thing all the time. Earl Always making sure something is different and eye opening.

8 More Replies...

@chineducation7239

This beat is so unique. I can feel that his music is opening in a new leaf and you can tell by the samples and drums and lyrics. 🙏🙏😁😁

@pleaseflamemessageme

It's that Doom inspiration

@Braydonut

opening a new urethra

@starchildbeats3916

@Boyfris Vaughdi u good my guy??

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