On The Eve Of War
GZA/Genius Lyrics

This is raw, all across the board, Liquid Sword Chamber
The quality of this music is exceptional and consistent, much like the precision of a swordfighter's movements in combat.

If it's coming from my jaw, then it's pure anger
The words spoken by the rapper are fueled by intense emotions and frustration.

Heavy metal rap, with a 44 banger
The music is intense and aggressive, similar to heavy metal, and the weapon being wielded is a powerful .44 caliber gun.

We can settle that, let the mic cord hang ya
The rapper is so confident in their rhyming abilities that they are willing to battle anyone on the microphone and let the loser hang their head in defeat.

I pay homage to the best of them, like Christopher Wallace
The rapper respects and praises the greatest artists who came before him, such as the late rapper Christopher Wallace (aka The Notorious B.I.G.).

And bring drama to the rest of 'em, with biscuits from coppers
The artist will bring drama and danger to those who oppose him, using a slang term for guns ('biscuits from coppers').

I'm with the Lord-Justice, and we raw gritty
The rapper is accompanied by 'Lord-Justice,' suggesting that they are backed by powerful allies, and their demeanor is tough and unpolished.

Picture hell, Philadelphia to New York City
The rapper paints a picture of a violent and lawless society in the area spanning between Philadelphia and New York City.

I brought a four with me, we can capture the ring
The rapper has a weapon (likely a gun) and is ready to engage in battle.

And now we more merciless than the Statue of Ming
The artist and his allies are ruthless and unrelenting, much like the merciless Chinese emperor Ming.

And ya'll are more purposeless than a pacifist king
Those who oppose the artist lack direction and conviction, like a king who refuses to wage war even if his kingdom is under attack.

You gonna die, like a brawl with a gat in the Bing
The rapper threatens his enemies, suggesting that they will meet a violent end (as if they were caught in a shootout in NYC's Sing Sing prison).

It's a passionate thing, the way we make classics
The artist puts a lot of emotion and energy into creating memorable and excellent music.

Genuine brilliance or innate madness
The rapper wonders if their talent is a result of brilliance or madness - a common trope in creative endeavors.

Yeah, we all spin on the same axis
Despite their differences, all the rappers in this song share a common foundation and are united in their mission to create great music.

And this chrome thing here leave your frame backless
The weapon the rapper brandishes is deadly and powerful, and can even remove the target's spine ('frame backless').

The police always trying to aim flame at us
The police are a constant threat to the artist and his allies, and are always looking for ways to bring them down.

So I don't mind when a pig brain splatters
The artist is not bothered or upset when police officers are killed or harmed, suggesting a deep-seated animosity toward law enforcement.

I don't mind that we all gonna die soon
The artist is accepting of his and others' inevitability of death, possibly due to a dangerous lifestyle of violence and crime.

I return to the silence of God's tomb
The artist implies that he will return to death and the afterlife, likely suggesting that he does not see a long future for himself.

There is no escaping once my blade start scraping
Like a razor-sharp knife, the rapper's rhymes will cut into listeners' mind and are difficult to ignore or escape.

My sword indeed make more niggaz bleed
The artist's rhymes are powerful and impactful, potentially causing intense emotional or physical reactions in listeners.

Wanabe of the mc's is shaken
The lesser rappers in the industry are threatened by the artist's exceptional talent and feel intimidated or shaken by the prospect of competing against them.

So swift naked eye couldn't record the speed
The rapper's rhymes come so quickly and effectively that even an observer watching closely would be unable to keep up or comprehend the meaning behind them.

Imagine a rhyme in it's prime from off the baseline
The artist conjures a vivid image of a beautiful and powerful rhyme, emerging from a deep and fundamental foundation of rap music.

Skyscraper a vertical support the hang time
The artist compares the strength and stability of their rap foundations to a towering skyscraper, allowing them to float and excel with ease.

Evidence that was left at the scene of the crime
The lyrics and message of the song are like physical evidence found at a crime scene - powerful and indelible.

Trace back to a few from outta group of nine
While many are involved in the rap industry, only a select few have what it takes to succeed, and the artist believes they are one of them.

Who performed well regardless to the price of the ticket
The artist puts on a great show and creates great music, regardless of the financial cost or the audience size and demographic.

Off or on stage whatever still kickin'
The artist's talent, aggression, and confidence never waver or fade, whether they are performing or not.

With the footwork of Freddy Adu, its all new
The rapper moves nimbly and with great skill, much like the young soccer player Freddy Adu, and their efforts are novel and fresh.

Now the rap commissioners, they wanna clone my shoe
The artist and their style are so electric and desirable that others are attempting to copy and duplicate it.

With the rose now, and its difficult to climb
While initially successful and blooming like a rose, the artist now struggles to remain on top, as success begets increased competition and scrutiny.

With the heat and wind and fallen rocks combined
The obstacles facing the artist are hazardous and numerous, including harsh environmental conditions and sudden and unexpected setbacks.

Its hard to stay alined the course is an obstacle
Despite the artist's best efforts, it is difficult to remain focused and maintain their trajectory in the face of such complex challenges.

Within each chamber the force it unstoppable
The power and skill of the artist is like an unstoppable force, and each of their rhymes hits hard and leaves a mark.

Lyrical swordsman blaze sharp, I'll cut out your heart
The artist is a skilled and dangerous opponent in the world of rap, much like a swordsman, and their rhymes will cut deep and cause pain.

Mc's want no part of any type of conflict
Other rappers choose not to confront or challenge the artist, as they fear the repercussions of such a battle.

Be 'cause when I respond quick, it gets thick
The artist's responses to challenges or threats are quick and powerful, often escalating the situation into dangerous territory.

The problem goes beyond sick
The complex and pervasive issues facing the artist and their community are far beyond what could be considered a simple problem or illness.

Is that he who follows the pleasure of Allah
The pleasure of Allah (God) is important to the artist and holds great significance in their life and religion.

Like him who has made himself deserving the displeasure from Allah
Those who do not honor Allah or act in ways that go against the teachings of Islam risk invoking his displeasure and punishment.

And his abode and hell,
The concept of an afterlife and judgement by Allah is integral to the artist's beliefs, including the potential reward or punishment that awaits one's soul after death.

And it is an evil destination...
Any who earn Allah's displeasure are doomed to an evil fate and outcome, likely referencing Hell or eternal punishment.