Playing Possum
Earl Sweatshirt feat. Cheryl Harris & Keorapetse Kgositsile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those presents and those gone on
Thank you to my family
(Can you see them now)
To my partner Mysteria who I love and depend on more than I can say
(For some children)
To my son Thebe (Words like home)
Cultural worker and student of life
(Could not carry any possible meaning)
Thank you to my brothers (But displaced)
My niece, (Boarder) my nephews, my sisters, my friends
(Refugee) My whole family network (Consider)
Who have let me be distracted and inconsistent in my intention
(The premature daily death of their dreams)
Who've put up with crazy schedules, short tempers and mad dashes and all the rest
(What staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer's voice again
While I can and say: you know the real deal
To have a home is not a favor)
The song "Playing Possum" is a heartfelt ode to family, friends, and loved ones, as well as a reflection on the difficulties of being a cultural worker and student of life. The lyrics are a series of thank you notes to those who have supported the artist on their journey, both those who are still present and those who have passed away. The artist expresses gratitude to their mentors and comrades in arms, to their family, their partner, and their son. They also acknowledge the challenges of being a cultural worker and student of life, including the need to be inconsistent in one's intentions and the pressure of trying to live up to others' expectations.
Throughout the song, the artist weaves together various themes and ideas, including home, memory, trauma, and hope. They acknowledge the ways in which their family network has been both a source of support and a distraction, and they reflect on the ways in which trauma and loss can impact our ability to hope for a better future. Ultimately, the song is a testament to the power of love and connection, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
To my mentors and comrades in arms
I am grateful for the guidance and camaraderie of those who have taught and fought alongside me
Those presents and those gone on
I am thankful for both those who are still with me and those who have passed on
Thank you to my family
(Can you see them now)
I am appreciative of my family, both present and absent, and wonder if others can understand the significance of my relationships
To my partner Mysteria who I love and depend on more than I can say
(For some children)
I express my deep gratitude and reliance on my partner Mysteria, who is like family to me, as if she were one of our own children
To my son Thebe (Words like home)
I address my son Thebe, using words that express the comfort and familiarity of home
Cultural worker and student of life
Whose growth and insights inspire me, a thousand kisses
I pay tribute to those who engage in cultural work and lifelong learning, whose personal development and knowledge inspire me, and convey affection through a symbol of many kisses
(Could not carry any possible meaning)
This line is intentionally meaningless or ambiguous, perhaps as a reflection of the complexity of human relationships
Thank you to my brothers (But displaced)
My niece, (Boarder) my nephews, my sisters, my friends
(Refugee) My whole family network (Consider)
I acknowledge the support and understanding of my family members and friends, including those who have been displaced or faced hardships, and urge everyone to reflect on the meaning of family more broadly
Who have let me be distracted and inconsistent in my intention
(The premature daily death of their dreams)
I recognize the sacrifices and suffering endured by those who have accommodated my flaws and inconsistencies, and lament the unfulfilled potential and unrealized dreams that result from these struggles
Who've put up with crazy schedules, short tempers and mad dashes and all the rest
(What staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been
I express gratitude and sympathy towards those who have tolerated my erratic behavior and hectic lifestyle, and note the painful memories and dashed hopes that can result from such experiences
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer's voice again
While I can and say: you know the real deal
To have a home is not a favor
I consider the perspective of those who remember my struggles and sacrifices, and use their voice to emphasize that having a home should not be taken for granted or seen as a favor from others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thebe Kgositsile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ollie0070
Consider what staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been.
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer’s voice again.
While I can and say
To have a home is not a favor.
- Keorapetse Kgositsile
Best song of the album. I beg you guys to do a bit of research on Earls mom and dad. Knowledge and wisdom flowing through their work and themselves. Earl is the product of a true poet and an offspring of a woman that inspires hundreds today.
"The addition of both his parents to the album was intended to be a surprise that he’d planned – as a conciliatory gesture, but tragedy struck again when Keorapetse (Bra Willie) Kgositsile passed away on January 3rd 2018, before Earl got a chance to send him the album."
@Prodfisik
To my mentors and comrades in arms
Those presents and those gone on
Thank you to my family
(Can you see them now)
To my partner Mysteria who I love and depend on more than I can say
(For some children)
To my son Thebe (Words like home)
Cultural worker and student of life
Whose growth and insights inspire me, a thousand kisses
(Could not carry any possible meaning)
Thank you to my brothers (But displaced)
My niece, (Boarder) my nephews, my sisters, my friends
(Refugee) My whole family network (Consider)
Who have let me be distracted and inconsistent in my intention
(The premature daily death of their dreams)
Who've put up with crazy schedules, short tempers and mad dashes and all the rest
(What staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer's voice again
While I can and say: you know the real deal
To have a home is not a favor)
@James-jy8bl
Earl, this is the most thoughtful album I've heard. Just spent the past hour researching your parents. Incredible people who've inspired an incredible artist. Crazy to learn I've studied subjects, theories, and events your parents have not only lived through, but contributed in. Now you're influencing your own wave, and I am happy to be a part of it.
@Thegreatone100
James not comparing Earl to PAC, but Earls parents reminds me of 2pacs parents who also more or less , influenced or paved a way for their talented son.
@rhodes273
I played ksi in legends
@swissrivierasocialclub6106
so true well said James
@redericson1993
I heard this album so many times.
@supa4ys843
@@Thegreatone100 yawn
@trevor5468
This is the most beautiful thing i have ever heard
@awake5650
I wanna die to this
@tedthecommenter5364
same here, the instrumental, the speech from his mother, and a poem from his father passed away, i listen to this on repeat
@sleepydude4621
Not gonna lie